From the Office of the Governor of Minnesota:

NEW DELHI, INDIA -- Taking the first step toward a long-term relationship with a key Indian state, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a sister-state partnership agreement between the state of Minnesota and state of Haryana during a ceremony today in New Delhi, India, with Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

This is the first sister-state agreement in the history of India and Minnesota's second sister-state agreement.

“The relationships we are building during our trade mission to India will be strengthened and extended through this historic agreement between Minnesota and Haryana,” Pawlenty said. “Haryana, with its 21 million residents, is known for its achievements in agriculture, tourism, information technology, and the automobile industry. We look forward to this new and exciting sister-state relationship as we foster stronger bonds and a greater understanding between people of both states.”

Pawlenty is in the midst of a 10-day trade mission that includes travel to New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai for a series of market and industry presentations, networking events, roundtable discussions and one-on-one business matchmaking events with potential Indian customers, distributors and partners. The 73-member delegation led by the governor is believed to be the largest trade delegation from one state ever to visit India.

The agreement between Minnesota and Haryana commits the two states to “encourage, develop, and expand joint activities and programs that mutually strengthen their vibrant and growing economies, which are characterized by a strong agricultural tradition, a wealth of high technology industries, and a commitment to quality education.”

The two states will also work to “promote the active exchange of ideas, knowledge, and people as it relates to trade and investment, science and technology, education and research, and arts and culture.”

Located in north India, Haryana is about one-fifth the geographic size of Minnesota and is home to 81 cities and more than 6,000 villages with more than 21 million residents. With 1.4 percent of the total area and less than two percent of the country's population, Haryana is one of the leading states in per capita income.

Haryana's proximity to the national capital New Delhi and a developed telecommunications and transport infrastructure are its major economic strengths. The international airport, diplomatic enclave and business centers are nearby.

Haryana is primarily an agricultural state with some industrial development. About 70 percent of residents are engaged in agriculture. Wheat and rice are the major crops. Haryana is self sufficient in food production and the second largest contributor to India's central pool of food grains.

Before beginning his trip to India, the governor stopped in Shanghai, China where he commemorated the 25th anniversary of Minnesota’s only other official sister-state agreement with Shaanxi Province. Shaanxi, home of the famous terra cotta warriors, became a sister-state on October 19, 1982, when Governor Al Quie and Shaanxi Governor Yu Mingtao formally signed the agreement at a ceremony in St. Paul.

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