Holcomb: Relationship With India at ‘Very Top of The List’
(Image of Karnataka Minister for Information
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGovernor Eric Holcomb says he would place the state’s quickly-evolving partnership with India at the top of the list in terms of relationships between the state and the rest of the world. Monday, Indiana formalized a sister-state arrangement with Karnataka, the Indian home state of tech giant Infosys and Wipro, which owns Indianapolis-based Appirio following a $500 million acquisition last year. Infosys has already gotten underway with tech hub plans in Indianapolis that could eventually lead to 2,000 Hoosier jobs.
During an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Holcomb said Indiana’s collaboration with its South Asian counterpart will create "a magnet for interest." He says the partnership with Karnataka, which includes the city considered India’s tech hub, Bangalore, will involve exchanges in economic, educational and cultural capital. The reason behind the ongoing economic development mission in India, Holcomb says, started with Infosys. The delegation, which includes Holcomb, Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger, TechPoint Chief Executive Officer Mike Langellier, Indiana India Business Council President Raju Chinthala, Genesys Director of Strategic Accounts Roger Reeves and Indiana University School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering Dean Raj Acharya, will also include stops in Delhi, Mysore and Pune.
Last year, state exports to India reached nearly $270 million. At least nine India-based companies have a presence in Indiana, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corp.