Governor Gianforte, Minister of Information Technology Discuss Partnerships in Bengaluru

Governor's Office

BENGALURU, India - Governor Greg Gianforte today met with Karnataka Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology and E-Governance Priyank Kharge to discuss opportunities for collaboration in emerging technology, research, and bioscience.

"It was great to join Minister Kharge for a productive meeting on the many parallels between India and Montana and begin discussions on future areas of collaboration in quantum, photonics, aerospace, precision agriculture, and bioscience," Gov. Gianforte said. "As Montana's economy expands from its roots in agriculture to embrace investments in emerging technologies, we stand strong on the global stage to compete for historic partnerships that will lead to more opportunities for Montanans."

Gov. Gianforte meeting with Minister Kharge in Bengaluru

During the meeting, Gov. Gianforte and Minister Kharge discussed opportunities to connect Montana and Karnataka businesses, researchers, universities, and startups in quantum and photonics, precision agriculture, bioscience and pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and aerospace.

The governor also highlighted Montana's use of artificial intelligence across state government to improve customer service and make agencies more efficient. With Minister Kharge overseeing information technology and e-governance in Karnataka, the leaders discussed sharing best practices as both governments incorporate new technologies into public services.

Building on Montana's more than 40 years of experience in optics and photonics, the governor highlighted the state's growing quantum ecosystem and opportunities for research and commercial collaboration. Montana is home to one of the largest optics and photonics clusters in the United States with over 80 companies specializing in the industry. In addition, the federally designated Headwaters Tech Hub has received approximately $41 million to strengthen Montana's photonics industry and move new technologies from research to commercialization.

At Montana State University, QCORE provides researchers and private industry access to quantum computing and test infrastructure. The program has also received a $31.5 million Air Force Research Laboratory contract to expand quantum research and test-bed capabilities. In the discussion, the governor pointed to Aurora Innovation as one example of Montana's photonics expertise in action. The company operates a 78,000-square-foot facility in Bozeman where it develops lidar technology used for autonomous vehicles.

Karnataka leaders highlighted their work in quantum education, research, computing, and hardware, while the governor discussed opportunities to connect those efforts with Montana State University, researchers, and private-sector companies.

Bioscience was another focus of the meeting. Gov. Gianforte highlighted Montana's more than $250 million in annual university research funding and the state's expanded Right to Try law, which creates new opportunities for clinical research and access to qualifying experimental treatments. The leaders discussed opportunities to connect Montana's research institutions, clinics, and bioscience companies with Karnataka's biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and medical education infrastructure.

"Karnataka has the technology ecosystem, talent, research capabilities and entrepreneurial strength to build meaningful partnerships with global innovation hubs. Montana brings highly specialized capabilities in areas such as quantum, photonics, precision agriculture and biosciences," Minister Kharge said. "The opportunity is to connect these strengths and move from conversations to specific collaborations between institutions, companies, startups and researchers."

The meeting also included discussions on precision agriculture, semiconductors and chip design, aerospace and space technologies, autonomous systems, and remote sensing.

The governor tomorrow continues Montana's trade mission in Bengaluru.

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