Maharashtra and Iowa Forge Sister State Partnership for Mutual Growth
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has sealed a significant partnership by signing a sister state agreement with America's Iowa state. The accord was inked on Friday in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
Fadnavis emphasized that this partnership will benefit both states in various critical sectors such as agriculture, biotechnology, financial services, infrastructure, renewable energy, education, and technology. He noted that this is the first such agreement between Maharashtra and an American state. The Chief Minister highlighted that similar agreements were signed with states in Japan and Germany over a decade ago, yielding substantial progress.
"This is a very strong signal. At a time when both states are discussing trade, at the sub-national level, the two states have agreed to come together. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that states in India should sign agreements with states in other countries. Iowa is a leader in agriculture technology and production, manufacturing, clean technology, and advanced manufacturing. It is often referred to as the food basket of America," Fadnavis explained.
He further added, "They will share these technologies with us. We will also collaborate in education and human-to-human exchange. Every year, delegations will visit each other and collaborate on various sectors, including education and agriculture. Because of this, both states will benefit. We will gain advanced technology. AI is transforming many sectors, but it is bringing a revolution in agriculture. There are so many new technologies, and this will take us towards climate-resilient agriculture."
Fadnavis also addressed potential challenges, stating, "Many people may not be happy with India's growing clout and influence, so they might try to use NGOs and toolkits and people to disturb things. But India will not be affected by all this."
The central government has been actively promoting twin/sister agreements between Indian states and cities with those in partner nations. These agreements are seen as an efficient tool to bolster cultural and diplomatic ties, as well as trade and investment relations. The initiative, which has roots dating back several decades, has gained momentum in recent years. Such arrangements have enabled the seamless exchange of resources and expertise between foreign partner nations, with the benefits reaching the broader masses.
As the world becomes more integrated, driven by technological innovations and increasingly similar developmental challenges, these twinning agreements will play a crucial role in finding effective solutions and unlocking new opportunities, officials noted.
