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Montana governor leads trade mission to India
Oct 05, 2026
đź“Ť Phliadelphia,PA, USA
### Montana Governor Leads Trade Mission to India and Sri Lanka to Expand Economic Ties
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is leading a delegation of more than 30 representatives from the state on a five-day mission to India and Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening trade, education and business relationships.
The mission, running from October 5 through October 9, brings together representatives from Montana’s agriculture, higher education, manufacturing, critical minerals, photonics, quantum technology and bioscience sectors.
During the India visit, Gianforte is expected to meet with government officials and business and institutional partners involved in agriculture, trade, bioscience, energy and education. The delegation is also seeking opportunities for research partnerships and new markets for Montana businesses.
Agriculture is a major focus of the trip, particularly Montana’s pulse-crop industry. The state is the largest U.S. producer of chickpeas and lentils, while India is the world’s largest consumer and importer of pulse crops.
Montana exported more than $14 million worth of peas, lentils and chickpeas to India in 2025, along with commercial aircraft parts, according to the governor’s office. The combined value of those exports exceeded $64 million in 2024.
India ranked as Montana’s 29th-largest trading partner in 2025, underscoring the potential for the state to expand its commercial relationship with the country.
Gianforte said the delegation would promote Montana-made products and emerging industries while seeking to develop educational partnerships, research cooperation and additional opportunities for the state’s agricultural producers.
The mission has also generated discussion on social media over the distinction between increasing trade with India and broader debates surrounding immigration and international students.
Montana resident Lukas Schubert criticized the trip in a social-media post, arguing that the state should prioritize Montana workers and students rather than seeking additional foreign workers and students.
Niraj Antani, a former Ohio state senator and Republican political figure, responded by emphasizing the trade objectives of the mission. He cited Montana’s exports of peas, lentils and chickpeas to India as an example of how international trade can support the state’s agricultural sector.
The governor’s office has not described the mission as an effort to increase foreign-worker or student immigration. Its stated objectives center on expanding trade, developing educational partnerships, encouraging research collaboration and opening new markets for Montana companies and agricultural producers.
The timing of the India visit also comes as the country continues to rely on imports to supplement domestic pulse production. India has been considering measures to increase supplies and ease food-price pressures, including possible reductions in import duties on lentils and yellow peas.
For Montana farmers, stronger access to the Indian market could be significant because of the country’s enormous demand for pulses. Expanding commercial relationships could also provide opportunities for other industries represented in the delegation.
Following the India portion of the trip, Gianforte and the delegation are scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka, where Montana has maintained a State Partnership Program through the Montana National Guard since 2021.
The partnership has focused on areas such as disaster preparedness and response. In 2025, Montana and Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding expanding cooperation in disaster response, maritime domain awareness and professional military education.
The latest mission builds on several recent efforts to strengthen Montana’s relationship with India as well. Earlier in 2026, the Indian government presented Montana with a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which is now displayed at the University of Montana’s Mansfield Center.
Montana has also hosted Indian officials and student delegations in recent years as the state seeks to broaden educational and economic connections with India.
The governor’s visit therefore combines agricultural trade with broader efforts to establish long-term partnerships across technology, education, research, energy and other industries. For Montana, India represents both a major market for agricultural products and a potential partner in expanding the state’s international economic relationships.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is leading a delegation of more than 30 representatives from the state on a five-day mission to India and Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening trade, education and business relationships.
The mission, running from October 5 through October 9, brings together representatives from Montana’s agriculture, higher education, manufacturing, critical minerals, photonics, quantum technology and bioscience sectors.
During the India visit, Gianforte is expected to meet with government officials and business and institutional partners involved in agriculture, trade, bioscience, energy and education. The delegation is also seeking opportunities for research partnerships and new markets for Montana businesses.
Agriculture is a major focus of the trip, particularly Montana’s pulse-crop industry. The state is the largest U.S. producer of chickpeas and lentils, while India is the world’s largest consumer and importer of pulse crops.
Montana exported more than $14 million worth of peas, lentils and chickpeas to India in 2025, along with commercial aircraft parts, according to the governor’s office. The combined value of those exports exceeded $64 million in 2024.
India ranked as Montana’s 29th-largest trading partner in 2025, underscoring the potential for the state to expand its commercial relationship with the country.
Gianforte said the delegation would promote Montana-made products and emerging industries while seeking to develop educational partnerships, research cooperation and additional opportunities for the state’s agricultural producers.
The mission has also generated discussion on social media over the distinction between increasing trade with India and broader debates surrounding immigration and international students.
Montana resident Lukas Schubert criticized the trip in a social-media post, arguing that the state should prioritize Montana workers and students rather than seeking additional foreign workers and students.
Niraj Antani, a former Ohio state senator and Republican political figure, responded by emphasizing the trade objectives of the mission. He cited Montana’s exports of peas, lentils and chickpeas to India as an example of how international trade can support the state’s agricultural sector.
The governor’s office has not described the mission as an effort to increase foreign-worker or student immigration. Its stated objectives center on expanding trade, developing educational partnerships, encouraging research collaboration and opening new markets for Montana companies and agricultural producers.
The timing of the India visit also comes as the country continues to rely on imports to supplement domestic pulse production. India has been considering measures to increase supplies and ease food-price pressures, including possible reductions in import duties on lentils and yellow peas.
For Montana farmers, stronger access to the Indian market could be significant because of the country’s enormous demand for pulses. Expanding commercial relationships could also provide opportunities for other industries represented in the delegation.
Following the India portion of the trip, Gianforte and the delegation are scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka, where Montana has maintained a State Partnership Program through the Montana National Guard since 2021.
The partnership has focused on areas such as disaster preparedness and response. In 2025, Montana and Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding expanding cooperation in disaster response, maritime domain awareness and professional military education.
The latest mission builds on several recent efforts to strengthen Montana’s relationship with India as well. Earlier in 2026, the Indian government presented Montana with a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which is now displayed at the University of Montana’s Mansfield Center.
Montana has also hosted Indian officials and student delegations in recent years as the state seeks to broaden educational and economic connections with India.
The governor’s visit therefore combines agricultural trade with broader efforts to establish long-term partnerships across technology, education, research, energy and other industries. For Montana, India represents both a major market for agricultural products and a potential partner in expanding the state’s international economic relationships.
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