Governor Kaine Withdraws From India Trade Mission – Delegation will be led by two Cabinet secretaries –

Statement

Governor Kaine Withdraws From India Trade Mission - Delegation will be led by two Cabinet secretaries -

Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that he will not accompany the delegation of Virginia business leaders and economic development officials on a scheduled trade mission to India between April 22 and 28, 2007. Governor Kaine will remain in Richmond to coordinate the state's response to this week's tragedy at Virginia Tech.

The mission, which includes a delegation of more than 100 Virginia business and government leaders, will continue. It will be led by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick O. Gottschalk and Secretary of Technology Aneesh P. Chopra. Events and meetings are scheduled in New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, India.

"As we grieve for those we lost and work to support others, there have been many outpourings of support from people all over the globe. In fact, the Tech tragedy claimed the lives of a student and a professor with direct family ties to India, and a portion of this trip included discussions about a Tech program based in India," said Governor Kaine.

"As we begin the healing process, I feel that my place is here with the citizens of our Commonwealth, and I deeply regret that I am unable to travel to India for this trade mission," the Governor said.

"I amconfident that, under the leadership of Secretaries Gottschalk and Chopra, thisdelegation will make valuable contacts and promote increased economic and cultural ties between Virginia and India."

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