Expansion of trade ties with India was his top priority in office, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott told a gathering of the State’s business leaders on Saturday. “Texas and India aligning economically will be enormously beneficial for both,” Mr. Abbott said in his keynote address at the annual meeting of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH).
Houston and surrounding areas are emerging as a magnet for several Indian companies expanding their operations in North America. Texas is now the second largest exporter of goods to India and the fourth largest importer of Indian goods, among American States. India has started importing crude and natural gas from America this year, and Texas, as the country’s petroleum hub, stands to benefit.
“Texas energy can fuel the growth that is coming to India. Incidentally, the very first shipment of LNG from Texas of a 20-year contract for natural gas going to India, arrived when I was in India. I met Prime Minister Modi for more than one hour and l left with more optimism that Texas-India partnership has no limits,” Mr. Abbott said of his nine-day business development tour of India in March. Petroleum imports from America has began to reduce India’s trade surplus with it, partially blunting an irritant for the Donald Trump administration.
The Texas State and cities such as Houston have been on a drive to attract Indian investors, and buyers. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he would be leading a business delegation in October to India. “Trade between Houston and India is now worth $ 8.5 billion and we want to grow it more. We want to make Houston a diverse and inclusive global community that will serve as a shining example for any other city in the U.S,” the Mayor said. An earlier delegation led by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett impressed Anand Mahindra to set up Mahindra and Mahindra’s North America headquarters in the city. “In 1999, several years after liberalisation, India was still not being taken seriously at all by business leaders and politicians. That is when we started the IACCGH, with the active support of the Indian Consulate, a partnership that has only grown,” said Jagdip Ahluwalia, executive director. “Houston area is attracting Indian talent and investments at a rapid pace. The Indian community has also blended extremely well with the rest of the residents, and its massive participation in relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey hit the area last year was demonstration of this,” said Anupam Ray, India’s Consul General.
Mr. Abbott thanked Mahindra for setting up Mahindra’s North American headquarters in Texas and donating $1.5 million dollars for relief after the State was struck by hurricane last year. Jindal Steel Works has announced plans to invest $500 million into expanding their steel manufacturing in Baytown, Texas, and Wipro Limited, will set up a new Texas Technology Center in Plano. “I hope JSW will supply all the steel that is needed for the petroleum industry in Texas,” the Governor said. ENDS
