Delaware Seeks Deeper Business Ties With India After Governor’s Trade Mission

WASHINGTON — Delaware is working to strengthen economic and technology partnerships with India following Governor Matt Meyer’s recent trade mission to New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad aimed at attracting investment and expanding research collaboration.

The delegation included representatives from Delaware’s government, universities, and business community. Officials said the trip focused on recruiting companies to the state, supporting Delaware businesses looking to expand overseas, and strengthening academic partnerships with Indian institutions.

“We are bringing additional opportunity home to Delaware,” Meyer said. “We successfully recruited companies, supported Delaware employers, strengthened research partnerships, and significantly enhanced the First State’s brand in one of the world’s largest markets.”

One of the key outcomes of the visit was renewable energy company REnP Green Energy’s plan to explore establishing its first U.S. facility in Delaware. Company executives are expected to travel to the state in April to begin selecting a site for a manufacturing operation that could open in 2027.

Another potential investment involves International Critical-Care Air Transfer Team (ICATT) Air Rescue, a global air ambulance provider that intends to incorporate in Delaware and is considering establishing its first U.S. operations base in the state.

The University of Delaware also advanced discussions with Indian Institutes of Technology and other institutions aimed at expanding collaboration in research, student exchange programs, and clean energy innovation.

Meanwhile, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership began a new collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry to strengthen commercial connections between companies in India and Delaware.

“This economic mission trip showed that Delaware can compete on the global stage,” said Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez.

“We strengthened relationships with business and government leaders, opened doors for Delaware companies, and created new pathways for investment, innovation, and collaboration that will deliver long-term benefits for our state,” she said.

During the trip, Delaware-based clean energy company Versogen announced a partnership with Indian renewable energy firm InSolare Energy to accelerate deployment of green hydrogen technology.

Versogen, founded at the University of Delaware and headquartered on the university’s STAR Campus, develops advanced materials used in water electrolysis to produce hydrogen without carbon emissions.

The partnership will combine Versogen’s anionic exchange membrane electrolyzer stack design with InSolare’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities to support large-scale hydrogen production.

“Versogen’s story is the First State at its best: innovative research at the University of Delaware creating a globally leading polymer membrane company located on the STAR Campus — growing into a real-world partnership that accelerates clean energy on a global scale,” Meyer said.

“By pairing Versogen’s breakthrough technology with InSolare’s manufacturing strength and project execution, Delaware chemistry is truly delivering cost-effective, large-scale green hydrogen and deepening a Delaware–India relationship for years to come,” he added.

While in New Delhi, Meyer met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to discuss opportunities for research collaboration, start-up partnerships, and innovation initiatives linking Indian companies with Delaware’s life sciences and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The governor also hosted a “Doing Business in Delaware” seminar at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, where manufacturers, fintech executives, and business leaders were briefed on the state’s advantages as a destination for investment and expansion.

During the visit, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership signed a memorandum of understanding with the Confederation of Indian Industry aimed at promoting innovation, start-up collaboration, and stronger commercial ties.

The mission also set the stage for a planned visit by a delegation from NASSCOM, India’s technology industry association, which is expected to travel to Delaware in May during a scheduled trip to New York.

First Lady Lauren Meyer said the trip also helped build relationships with companies focused on health care innovation.

“As an ER doctor, meeting with ICATT was personal for me: they’re physicians building a company focused on life-saving emergency care,” she said.

“This trip was about building new relationships and attracting innovative companies. Now ICATT intends to incorporate in Delaware and is exploring plans to establish its first US operations here, improving the lives of Delawareans in the process.”

State officials said follow-up work will continue in the coming weeks as Delaware builds on relationships established during the mission.

“The work of the trade mission will continue in the weeks ahead as Delaware officials continue to foster relationships with companies, universities, and government partners,” Meyer said. “This is how a small state competes. We show up, build relationships, and bring opportunity back to every community.”

India has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and an increasingly important partner for the United States in trade, technology, and clean energy.

Economic ties between the two countries have expanded rapidly in recent years, with growing collaboration in manufacturing, digital innovation, and research. (Source: IANS)