PDF: 2962 pages, 5.2 MB - Bay Area Council Economic Institute

Preface
Relations between the San Francisco Bay Area and India are longstanding and multi-faceted,
dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, and represent a valuable contribution to the
Bay Area regional economy in terms of trade, investment, technological innovation, jobs and
wealth creation.
This report follows Ties That Bind, a 2006 report by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute
(formerly the Bay Area Economic Forum) on the Bay Area’s economic and other ties with
greater China, and completes a two volume series on the demographic, cultural, educational,
trade, investment and other ties between the Bay Area—the world’s technology capital and one
of its most globalized economies—with China and India, the world’s fastest growing major
economies. In assessing the region’s economic, academic and cultural ties to India, our intent is
to highlight the Bay Area’s outward-looking business focus; its extensive links to global markets;
the vibrant international communities that comprise a unique economic asset in the region’s
development; and the concrete policy steps necessary to preserve and enhance that asset.
Nearly 200 business, government, academic and community leaders in the Bay Area and India were
interviewed for this report, representing a high-level cross-section of individuals and organizations
that are shaping both business and policy. It has not been possible to capture every company,
organization or community leader with an active role or perspective on the relationship. The
purpose of this study, however, is to paint a picture of the changing dynamic that defines the
relationship between the Bay Area and India, and is exerting a growing influence on the shape of
the world economy. While focused on the Bay Area, the report also provides a deep case study of
the changing fabric of the global economy, the interconnection of developed economies such as
the U.S. with rapidly emerging economies such as China and India, and the process by which
technologies and services are increasingly being generated through complex global partnerships.
The report begins with a snapshot of India’s economic landscape, to provide context. It then offers
a profile of the evolving Indian community in the Bay Area; the two-way exchanges of students,
scholars, travelers and workers; trade and investment trends; and an in-depth examination of key
industry sectors where the cross-fertilization of knowledge, talent and capital have added particular
value. Readers can review the full text for an in-depth panorama of India’s economy and its ties to
the Bay Area, or can move directly to the topics or business sectors that interest them most.
We conclude with a set of findings that identify key economic exchanges and benefits growing
out of the relationship for the Bay Area and for India; future opportunities for mutually
beneficial cross-border collaboration and innovation; and broad policy steps for decision-makers
to consider that will both nurture the relationship and ensure the Bay Area’s competitive position
in the global economy.