The basics:

• Gov. Phil Murphy wraps second economic mission to India
• Commitments from Indian firms to create nearly 400 NJ jobs
• Expansions include Biocon, Indegene, Lupin, Tata & more
• Mission strengthens business, academic, cultural ties

The second Gov. Phil Murphy-led economic mission to India is in the books. According to Choose New Jersey, which organized the trip, the excursion delivered commitments to create some 400 new jobs in the Garden State.

The six-day, four-city mission swung through New Delhi, Kochi, Bengaluru and Mumbai. In addition to the governor, First Lady Tammy Murphy as well as a delegation of elected officials, leaders and key stakeholders across government, business and academia also took part.

Murphy first led a delegation to India in 2019. That trip sparked a wave of investment that continues to deliver results today – including Biocon’s recent ribbon cutting, Enzene Biosciences’ expansion and more. Since that mission, Choose New Jersey has also opened the New Jersey India Center.

This excursion built on those efforts – with a focus on deepening economic, academic and cultural ties between New Jersey and India.

A ‘vital’ partnership

“It is an honor to return to India and see firsthand the progress we have made since my historic 2019 visit as the first sitting New Jersey governor to visit India,” the governor said. “Since that time, we have built a strong foundation of collaboration, and Indian companies have become key contributors to New Jersey’s economic growth.

“India remains one of New Jersey’s top foreign direct investors year after year, and this mission underscored how vital that partnership is,” said Wesley Mathews, president and CEO, Choose New Jersey. “Over the past few days, we met with hundreds of Indian business and government leaders and secured expansion commitments across technology, life sciences, and retail that will bring nearly 400 new jobs to New Jersey.”

“We are committed to deepening this partnership and creating even more opportunities for growth together.”

Those commitments include:

• Axtria Inc. – Berkeley Heights
  Expansion: 50 jobs
• BDR Pharmaceuticals – Jersey City
  Subsidiary: 25 jobs
• Biocon – Cranbury
  Manufacturing facility: 100 jobs
• Bliss GVS
  U.S. headquarters: 30 jobs
• Indegene – Princeton
  Expansion: 50 jobs
• Kalyan Jewellers – Edison
  Expansion, including U.S. HQ, two stores: 25 jobs
• Lupin – Bridgewater and Somerset
  Expansion: 30 jobs
• Meteoric Biopharma
  R&D Lab: 25 jobs
• Rubicon – East Brunswick
  Newly acquired warehouse facility: 15 jobs
• Tata Communications – Matawan
  Expansion: 30 jobs, projected over the next three to four years
• Umedica Labs – Parsippany
  Expansion: five jobs

Officials say additional expansions and investments are expected in the coming months.

‘Cultural exchange’

Edison Mayor Samip Joshi joined the mission and noted its impact. The Middlesex County municipality he represents is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the state.

“New Jersey’s economic mission to India highlights the incredible opportunities that come when global partnerships meet local communities,” said Joshi. “For Edison, home to one of the largest Indian-American communities in the state, these strengthened ties bring not only jobs and investment, but also cultural exchange that enriches the lives of our residents.”

United Airlines served as the official travel partner for the mission. The airline, which is one of the state’s leading private employers with 14,000 workers, offers nonstop daily flights from Newark to New Delhi.

“United was proud to serve as the official travel partner for New Jersey’s Economic Mission to India,” said Jon Gooda, vice president of United Airlines’ Newark hub. “As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, we’re committed to strengthening ties between New Jersey and India – supporting both business growth and cultural exchange, while expanding our service from Newark to more than 140 destinations nationwide.”

Mathews added, “I am deeply grateful to all of our sponsors and partners whose support made this mission possible. With the nation’s largest Indian-American community per capita, our state offers both the business advantages and welcoming environment that allow Indian companies and families to thrive.”