ANNAPOLIS, MD. (November 4, 2011)– Maryland State Delegate Aruna Miller (Dist. 15) has announced her participation in upcoming trade mission to India in November with Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley.  

The six-day trip, with stops planned in Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, will be the first such trade mission to India by a Maryland governor.  The delegation will comprise of local business and community leaders and County Executives Isiah Leggett of Montgomery County and Rushern L. Baker III of Prince George’s County.

Miller, born in Andhra Pradesh, is the first Indian-American woman legislator to serve in the Maryland General Assembly and has worked with Governor Martin O’Malley’s office to establish a sister state relationship with India.  Governor O’Malley’s scheduled trips to Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai, Maharashtra are expected to include ceremonies to form sister state relationships.

“The realization of forming a sister state relationship between Maryland and an Indian State comes after years of pushing from the Indian American community.  They have encouraged the Governor to visit India.” Miller said.  India is the largest democracy in the world and boasts the largest nation in the world of English speakers. It has 28 states, seven territories and the world’s second largest population of 1.2 billion people.    

“This is a strategic partnership and I am excited for the numerous economic opportunities, cultural exchanges and shared values that will transpire between Maryland and India.”

Sister relationships are the only international partnership agreements that link local governments. The Maryland Sister State Program currently has ten official sister state relationships established with states, regions or provinces in various countries around the world. The program provides Marylanders and businesses a unique opportunity to build relationships in other parts of the world. Each Sister State relationship is strategically chosen to enhance the economic, cultural, and educational interests of the people of Maryland.

In response to the Indian-American community in Maryland, the Office of the Secretary of State began with a preliminary list of several Indian states under consideration.  “I am grateful to Secretary McDonough for his leadership in undertaking this effort.  He worked closely with the community leaders to ensure their voices and concerns were heard.  And after careful consideration, the states of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra were selected.”  

Delegate Miller has taken a lead role in working with the Office of the Secretary of State and the Department of Economic Development to coordinate the Governor’s arrangements for his first stop to Hyderabad. “India has one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world.”    Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) is located on the south-eastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population (84.6 million). The State has the longest coastline (972 km) among all the States in India.

“Andhra Pradesh has a booming biotech and IT industry which is very similar to my district in Montgomery County Maryland.  During this historical trip, our hope is to engage with the Indian Government and business leaders and forge relationships that will be mutually beneficial for Maryland and Andhra Pradesh.” said Miller.

 “The economies that will thrive in the 21^st century are those that embrace strategic global relationships.  Governor Martin O’Malley understands this and I applaud his leadership.” said Miller. “The focus of the trip will be to advance economic and trade relations, as well as educational and cultural exchanges. This is the first step towards the beginning of a long on-going and developing relationship to serve both Maryland and India.”

“It is a great honor and privilege to represent the people of Maryland.  I am confident that this historic relationship between Maryland and India will serve both Marylanders and the people of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra now and for future generations.”

Miller will be joined on the trip by the two other Indian-American members of the Maryland General Assembly; Majority Leader Kumar Barve (Dist. 17) and Delegate Sam Arora (Dist. 19)