Governor Gianforte Kicks Off Trade Mission to India

Meets with Indian business representatives considering U.S. expansion

Governor's Office

NEW DELHI, India - Governor Greg Gianforte today kicked off Montana's first trade mission to India, meeting with Indian business representatives to highlight Montana's strengths in quantum technology, photonics, bioscience, and agricultural technology.

"Montana is home to cutting-edge research and advanced manufacturing capabilities ready to meet global demand," Gov. Gianforte said. "It is great to meet with partners in India who are committed to exploring future opportunities for collaboration and investment and to spotlight the Treasure State as a high-quality, reliable partner for trade and innovation."

Gov. Gianforte speaking to members of the Confederation of Indian Industry during a meeting in Delhi

In a meeting with the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), the governor met with ten member companies considering U.S. expansion. The discussion highlighted opportunities for collaboration in bioscience and biotechnology, optics and photonics, quantum technology, critical minerals, and higher education.

Joining Gov. Gianforte on the mission are representatives of the Montana BioScience Alliance. The Montana BioScience Alliance was founded in 2004 as a statewide network that brings together biotechnology companies, startups, laboratories, hospitals, clinics, universities, and partner organizations that are shaping the future of life sciences in Montana.

Montana offers an unparalleled biotech ecosystem powered by more than $250 million in annual university research funding and investments from the National Institute of Health and is home to one of only nearly a dozen Biosafety Level 4 labs in the United States. The mission to India is also highlighting Montana's newly expanded Right to Try law which the legislature passed, and the governor signed into law, in 2025.

The Right to Try establishes a pathway for biopharma and life science companies to commercialize Phase 1 completed therapies years before full FDA approval. For companies, this means expedited time to market and positions Montana as a national leader for experimental therapeutics and frontier medical technologies.

In addition to bioscience capabilities, Montana is home to one of the largest optics and photonics clusters in the United States, with Montana-developed technologies used around the world, from systems operating at the bottom of the ocean to devices on the surface of Mars. Bozeman is home to a concentrated optics, photonics, laser, sensing, and quantum ecosystem, with firms such as Lattice Materials, Montana Instruments, and Bridger Photonics, to name a few. This existing presence provides access to specialized talent, technical partners, and peer companies for companies looking to expand to Montana.

Montana State University is working with leading researchers and entrepreneurs to build an applied quantum ecosystem. Montana is home to one of only five quantum network testbeds worldwide and one of just seven organizations globally that house both photonic and superconducting quantum computers. The Treasure State is also building its advanced manufacturing base. Since 2020, Montana's manufacturing GDP has grown 7 percent faster than the national rate, creating new opportunities in aerospace, defense, precision manufacturing, and emerging technology.

"Montana may be known for our mountains and wide-open spaces, but some of the world's most advanced technology is being developed in Big Sky Country," Gov. Gianforte said. "Connecting our researchers and companies with partners in India can turn these innovations into new businesses, investment, and good-paying jobs in Montana."

Later, the governor participated in a business roundtable hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), meeting with Indian companies to explore opportunities in agricultural technology, advanced manufacturing, defense, and industrial supply chains.

Montana is home to $6.22 billion agriculture industry, supported by world-class products, agricultural research, processing opportunities, and the real-world conditions companies need to test and scale new technologies. In the meeting with CII member companies, the delegation positioned Montana as a strong headquarters location for food-ingredient and precision-agriculture businesses looking to establish a presence in the U.S. because it is close to major production of wheat, barley, lentils, dry peas, chickpeas, oilseeds, and specialty grains.

"India and Montana have strong complementarities in agriculture, from farm equipment and precision farming to seeds, processing and research. By bringing together industry, government and academia, we can build partnerships that strengthen agricultural value chains, encourage innovation and create opportunities for farmers and businesses on both sides," said Dr. T.R. Kesavan, Director and Group President of Corporate Relations & Alliances at Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited [tafe.com], a member company of CII.

The governor concluded the day at a reception hosted by John Coronado, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The reception brought together U.S. and Indian government officials, business leaders, and members of the Montana delegation to continue discussions on investment and economic partnerships.

The trade mission is focused in part on creating more stable market opportunities for Montana producers while expanding the relationship into advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, photonics, quantum technology, higher education, and investment.

The governor will continue the mission tomorrow in New Delhi.

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