Today marks the first visit to Tysons for the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy, Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister will address Indian-Americans at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons. The event may be the biggest international visit Tysons has ever hosted. What better place to do so, than the very cosmopolitan Fairfax County, home to thousands of Indian Americans. Tysons has a growing Indian population, as well as Persian and Korean immigrant communities that have called Tysons home for decades.
The comments made in Tysons covered the role of technology in the economy of India, and the growth of the knowledge based (STEM) work force in both India and immigrants to the US. Tomorrow Narendra Modi will meet with President Trump at the White House. It is clear, given the early visit and speech made to Virginians of the Indian diaspora that the Indian – Virginian economic connection is also a critical one that promotes growth for both Northern Virginia and India. The world’s second most populous country provides a large pool of proficient workers in fields that have historically struggled to fill positions, but it also provides huge opportunities for Northern Virginia firms to sell technology, expertise, and services in the rapidly developing nation.
I’m sure the event was attended by several economic leaders as well as Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, whose recently published economic newsletter notes that 25 Indian corporations have operations in Fairfax County, #5 of all countries in the world. Hopefully this state visit can help bring more economic activity to our region.