Montana Eyes India Partnerships in Quantum Technology, Photonics and Advanced Industries

Gianforte is leading a delegation of 36 professionals from higher education and advanced technology sectors. He said the delegation has held several productive meetings focused on areas where Montana and India have complementary capabilities and opportunities for collaboration.

“We’re looking for business-to-business collaboration so that we can produce better products and expand economic opportunities for both India and the United States,” Gianforte said.

He identified quantum technology and photonics as among the most promising areas for cooperation, noting that both India and Montana have growing capabilities in these fields. Discussions are taking place between universities as well as private-sector organisations.

Gianforte said Montana institutions have strong research capabilities in quantum technology and photonics, with universities investing hundreds of millions of dollars in research relevant to both countries. He said university-to-university cooperation could open up opportunities for joint research and innovation.

He also said there are opportunities for private-sector partnerships, particularly in aerospace. Gianforte pointed out that India operates many Boeing aircraft, while companies in Montana manufacture components for them.

Precision agriculture is another potential area of cooperation. Gianforte said technology is helping farmers improve productivity and noted that the dean of Montana’s School of Agriculture is part of the delegation visiting India.

He said the trade mission is focused on several areas of common interest, including aerospace, defence technology, precision agriculture and biosciences.

Gianforte also highlighted the importance of progress on an India-US bilateral trade agreement. He said US Ambassador Sergio Gor told him the two countries were close to reaching a deal.

The Montana Governor said farmers are highly valued in both India and the US and stressed the importance of establishing long-term commercial relationships, particularly for Montana’s agricultural sector. He pointed to fluctuations in India’s purchases of pulse crops from the US and said a stable trade framework would help deepen economic ties.

“Getting this trade deal done, with reciprocal and fair trade, is really essential for us to continue to expand and deepen the relationship between our two countries,” Gianforte said.

He added that greater certainty around the trade relationship would be important for businesses in both countries as they consider long-term investments and partnerships. A reciprocal framework, he said, would give companies greater confidence that commercial relationships between India and the US can continue to expand while addressing both sides' interests.