California Guv Arnold to lead business team to India next year

New York, Aug 15 (UNI) California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will lead a business delegation to India early next year to raise bilateral trade and enhance ties in technological, industrial and other sectors.

According to a release by The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE), a group of Indian-American business people, no representative trade office will be set up during the visit. A function was held over the weekend at the home of Raj Jaswa, TiE Silicon Valley chapter president in this regard.

''I propose to bring leaders of 50-100 business units who could meet with their counterparts, speak with political leaders and foster new alliances. We need to see how California can increase trade with India, how India can manufacture more for California.

We must find where we can share technologies,'' Mr Schwarzenegger said addressing the function.

Schwarzenegger said California, home to Hollywood based in Los Angeles, and India, which produces the largest number of feature films in the world, could cooperate in the movie industry.

He said other areas of cooperation include fashion and food.

''This would give companies a chance to display their wares.

We could even have video footage of Californian delights. Where else in the world could you surf in the morning, snow ski in the afternoon and play golf in the desert in the evening before having that candle-lit dinner with your wife at night?'' he asked the gathering.

His new-found love for India apparently came from his wife Maria Shriver's visit. ''Maria was in India last week where she met the Dalai Lama as well as many non-profit organizations working in the area of helping mentally challenged children,'' the Governor said. ''She is very enthusiastic about our visit to India and we look forward to it.'' On appointing Indian-Americans in his administration, Schwarzenegger said he was interested that his team should reflect the diversity of California. ''If that means a lot of people from India should be in top positions, we have to make that representation,'' he said.

The Governor praised the contributions of Indians to California.

''You people are always known for what you want to do for the state. All of you have come here seeking an opportunity and once you made it big, you've given to the society in which you currently live,'' Schwarzenegger noted.

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