Indian-American Nikki Haley, the Governor of South Carolina, would lead a high-powered trade delegation to India in November, even as a team of her officials is currently in India to lay the ground works for the trip.
The first ever Indian trip of Haley, in her capacity as the Governor of the State, would take her to New Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab, where her parents were born, Haley's Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt said yesterday.
Haley's trip to India -- November 12 to November 22 -- would take place a week after the election of the Governor of South Carolina, for which she is seeking her second term.
According to local media reports, Hitt said, South Carolina is playing catch up after a number of other American States that have made trade missions to world's second-largest most populated nation in recent years.
"CEOs want to meet CEOs, and Governor Haley is our CEO," he said.
Haley last visited India when she was two years old.
"Although I haven't visited since I was a young girl, I will never miss an opportunity to sell South Carolina and would love to visit India. We are always excited to talk about the great things our administration is doing to make our state the most competitive in the country for business development," Haley had told PTI in an interview last year.
Unlike many Indian Americans, Haley, born as Namrata Randhawa, has maintained her contacts with her families back in India, many of whom had attended her inauguration. After Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, she is the second Indian American Governor of a US State and the first Indian-American woman to have been elected to such a high office.
Given her star appeal in India, Hitt acknowledged that there would be great deal of media interest when she travels to India in November.
"There will be a great deal of interest in the media there. This will be a special trip for her," he said adding that the trip is expected to cost around USD 50,000 to the state exchequer.
From 2011-2013, India ranked 16th in the investment among foreign companies, Hitt said, adding that South Carolina is seeking an increase in business opportunities from India.
