News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (August 22, 2026 - August 28, 2026) August 28, 2026 8 US-India Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Meets Diaspora, Business Leaders During US Visit G ujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel began his week-long visit to the United States and Canada by meeting members of the Gujarati diaspora in San Francisco, where he highlighted the state’s development plans and sought greater participa- tion from the overseas community in Gujarat’s emerging technology and investment sectors. Patel is leading a high-level delegation during the visit to invite industries and investors from the US and Canada to participate in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2027 and explore opportunities to invest and establish businesses in Gujarat. During his visit the Chief Minister spoke about how Gujarat has emerged as a growth engine of the country through what he described as holistic development. He linked the state’s future goals with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, with the mantra of ‘Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas, Sauno Vishwas and Sauno Prayas’. Patel said Gujarat is working towards the goal of Viksit Gujarat-2047 and intends to play a leading role in the national develop- ment vision. He identified semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data centres and bio- technology as key sectors in which Gujarat aims to establish itself as a global hub. The Chief Minister also invited members of the Gujarati diaspora, along with industry and business leaders based in San Francisco, to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2027. He expressed con- fidence that the summit would provide an- other platform for strengthening investment and technological partnerships between Gujarat and global businesses. The interaction also included a question- and-answer session, during which members of the Gujarati community sought informa- tion about the pace and scope of development in Gujarat. Community leaders appreciated the state government’s efforts to accelerate development and attract investment. The Gujarat CM particularly acknowledged the con- tribution of Gujaratis living in Silicon Valley to areas such as semiconductors, AI technology and innovation. He said the Gujarat government wants to establish a stronger connection between global Gujarati talent and compa- nies and industries operating in the state. He said these partnerships could also help Gujarat advance its devel- opment objectives and contribute to the broader goal of Viksit Bharat-2047. Patel also spoke about the cultural connection main- tained by Gujarati families living thousands of kilometres away from their home state. He noted that the commu- nity continues to preserve the Gujarati language, festivals, celebrations and traditional values in San Francisco. Gujarat Chief Secretary M.K. Das, senior secretaries, members of the state delegation and a large number of members of the Gujarati diaspora attended the interac- tion. After San Francisco, Chief Minister Patel made a stop inWashington, D.C., where on Thursday August 20, he was welcomed at the Indian Embassy by Ambassador Vinay Kwatra, and also went on to meetWalmart Execu- tive Vice President and Global Public Policy and Govern- ment Affairs Dan Bryant and discussed a clear roadmap to expand global opportunities for the state’s MSMEs and small artisans ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Inves- tors Summit 2027. According to a press release, Bryant apprised the Chief Minister aboutWalmart’s Vriddhi program which has trained more than 1.15 lakh MSMEs since its launch in 2019. The company has set a target of training 1.70 lakh MSMEs by 2028, according to a release issued by the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office. Patel also discussed the possibility of jointly organizing workshops withWalmart and relevant departments of the Gujarat government to identify sector-specific potential among the state’s MSMEs and help them access global markets. The discussions also focused on collaboration between the state government andWalmart over the next three to four months to explore potential global opportunities for Gujarat’s MSMEs and small artisans. Earlier on August 20, Patel addressed members of the Gujarati diaspora at an event organized by the Vishv Umiya Foundation inWashington, where he presented Gujarat’s role as a growth engine for India and held detailed discussions with members of the diaspora on Gujarat’s holistic development, financial discipline, new investment opportunities and the growth potential of emerging sectors, including GIFT City, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data centres and biotechnology. Chief Minister Patel also visited the Art of Living center inWashington, DC, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, and met with members of the community. He com- mended the Art of Living’s efforts to take India’s traditions of breathwork, meditation and yoga to communities across the United States, and appreciated its work in promot- ing mental wellbeing and resilience among young people. For nearly 45 years, the Art of Living has been working across the United States towards its vision of a stress-free, violence- free society, fostering human connection, and the spirit of “OneWorld Family,” a press release from the organization said. This work has found expression in land- mark initiatives such as theWorld Culture Festival, hosted by the Art of Living on the National Mall inWashington, DC, in Sep- tember 2023, which brought together 1.1 million people and participants frommore than 180 countries, the press release said. The Art of Living center inWashington, DC, is a 17,000-square-foot urban sanctu- ary – walking distance from theWhite House, and it is planning to expand the premises by an additional 10,000 square feet to accommodate the growing demand for its programs and practices. “It was an honor to host Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel at the Art of Living Centre inWashington, DC. We wish him continued success in his efforts to serve the people of Gujarat and advance the state’s vision of a healthier and more resilient society,” said Bhushan Deodhar, from the Office of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Director of the Art of Living Centre inWashington, DC. ANI with addons from News India Times Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel being welcomed at San Francisco Airport. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at the Art of Living Center in Washington, D.C. August 19, 2026. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in San Francisco. PHOTO:ORGANIZERS PHOTO:ANI PHOTO:GUJARAT CMOVIA ANI