Gov Greg Gianforte welcomed a group of Montana students who recently returned from a two-week cultural and educational visit to India, calling the exchange an important step in building closer ties between the two countries.
The 10-member delegation, led by Jason Smith of the Montana World Affairs Council, travelled across India from June 26 to July 9. Their itinerary included stops at historic and religious landmarks such as the Rath Yatra in Odisha, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, ISKCON Temple in Vrindavan, the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, and Lucknow’s Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza.
The trip was organized in partnership with the Consulate General of India in Seattle and included meetings with officials at India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. Students also visited leading schools, including KIIT/KISS in Odisha and City Montessori School in Lucknow, and took part in youth exchanges and workshops focused on Indian arts and culture.
The students were selected through a statewide competition organised by the Montana World Affairs Council. The process included India-focused outreach programs in several school districts and culminated in the Indian Film Festival held at the University of Montana in Missoula from March 2–4.
Speaking at the Capitol reception, Gianforte praised the newly opened Indian Consulate in Seattle for supporting people-to-people ties, especially among young leaders.
Smith, reflecting on the delegation’s travels, said India left a lasting impression on the students.
“I have always found my time in India to be magical,” he said. “The people are warm and wonderful — the sights, the sounds are so unique. There’s no place like it on Planet Earth. It is really important for our young delegation to spend time with their peers and to learn firsthand that there is more that unites us than makes us different.”
Students shared their experiences with an audience that included scholars, business leaders and journalists. Organizers said the program underscored the role of youth exchanges in strengthening U.S.-India relations and fostering global understanding.
