Gov. Phil Murphy will soon embark on another international trip to help boost business in New Jersey — this time to India, a country with strong ties to the Garden State.

Murphy announced Monday he will be the first sitting New Jersey governor to visit India on official business, taking a seven-day, six-city economic tour in September of a country he called one of the state’s largest trade and investment partners.

The Democratic governor said he will meet with Indian government officials and industry leaders to “chart a course" to bring more business and investment to New Jersey, as well as to help the country with “their priorities.” Murphy said he also hopes to “strengthen the cultural, educational, and political bonds” between the state and the country.

“This can be a true partnership — the two largest democracies in the world working together at both the federal and state levels on issues that span the entire economic spectrum,” Murphy said while making the announcement in a speech at Spice Culture restaurant in South Plainfield.

The trip will last from Sept. 13-22, including travel time. Murphy will visit Delhi, Agra, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Gandhinagar.

It’ll be similar to the eight-day trip Murphy took last October to Germany and Israel.

Like that trip, the bulk of the India visit will be paid for by nonprofit Choose New Jersey. Taxpayers will still foot the bill for the governor’s security detail.

Indian-Americans represent the largest group of foreign-born residents in New Jersey, Murphy’s office said.

Of the state’s nine million residents, about 420,000 are Indian-American — “one of the fastest growing communities in our state," Murphy said.

India is also New Jersey’s second largest foreign direct investor, Murphy’s office said. More than 50 percent of India’s foreign direct investment in the Northeast comes to the state, the office said.

Murphy, a frequent critic of Republican President Donald Trump, painted the India visit as another contrast between his and Trump’s administrations.

“Unlike some in Washington, I have made it clear that international trade and partnership is key to our economic future,” Murphy said. “We have great advantages here in New Jersey. But we cannot ignore that we cannot grow on our own.”

“We are a stronger state and a stronger economy because you are here,” the governor added. “My goal is to ensure you continue to call New Jersey home and continue to contribute in making our state an example of how inclusive leadership can lift millions of people as one.”

Murphy’s office said will the governor meet with leaders in Indian’s life sciences, technology, clean energy, film and media, and manufacturing industries.

Joining Murphy will be his wife, First Lady Tammy Murphy; Tim Sullivan, CEO of the state Economic Development Authority; and Jose Lozano, president of Choose New Jersey.

It’s not uncommon for New Jersey governors to take out-of-country business trips. Murphy’s predecessor, Chris Christie, visited Canada, England, and Mexico on business missions during his eight years as governor.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01.

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