Mission to continue to Sri Lanka.
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced he will lead a strategic mission to India with representatives from Montana’s agricultural, higher education, critical minerals, manufacturing, photonics, quantum, and bioscience industries to strengthen ties with one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies.
The visit comes one year after the governor led a trade mission to South Korea and Japan to grow and expand trade in the region.
“I am proud to lead Montana’s delegation to India to not only showcase our world-class Montana products and emerging industries but also to build on our long-standing partnership rooted in quality, innovation, and shared ambition,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Our delegation stands ready to showcase Montana as a best state for business, expand educational partnerships, and strengthen research collaboration.”
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The relationship between India and Montana is rooted in the legacy of Ambassador Mike Mansfield from Butte who helped shape early ties with the country in 1944 and in 1962, when he traveled to India at President John F. Kennedy’s request to deepen the connection. Building on the relationship, the Indian government earlier this year gifted Montana a bust of Mahatma Gandhi which is now displayed in the University of Montana’s Mansfield Center.
India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, posting a real GDP growth of 6.5 percent last year. It is currently the fifth largest economy in the world and is projected to be the third by early 2030.
Montana is the number one producer of chickpeas and lentils in the United States, while India is the world’s largest consumer and importer of pulse crops. In 2025, India was Montana’s 29th largest trading partner, purchasing over $14 million in peas, lentils, and chickpeas, and commercial aircraft parts. In 2024, India purchased over $64 million.
While in India, the governor will meet with key ministerial leaders as well as with trading, agricultural, bioscience, photonics, quantum, energy, and education partners in the region.
Continuing the mission to Sri Lanka, Gov. Gianforte will highlight the longstanding partnership of the Montana National Guard’s with Sri Lanka through the State Partnership Program and explore future markets for agricultural producers. Through the State Partnership Program, the Montana National Guard has partnered with Sri Lanka since 2021 to strengthen disaster preparedness. In 2025, the Montana National Guard and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize and expand cooperation in disaster response, maritime domain awareness, and professional military education.
The mission will run from October 5 to October 9, 2026.
