Lahore: In a significant step towards fostering international collaboration, a delegation from the New York State Assembly, led by Deputy Speaker Ramos and Assemblymember Kransky, met with the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly and the Acting Governor of Punjab Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan. The meeting was organized by the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC) to discuss the establishment of a sister state relationship between New York State and Punjab.
Deputy Speaker Ramos highlighted the potential benefits of the sister state resolution, emphasizing the mutual growth and cooperation it could bring. The Acting Governor of Punjab expressed his enthusiastic support and assured the NYS delegation of his commitment to seeing the resolution passed.
Assemblymember Ramos also introduced the idea of forming partnerships at the local level, beyond just the states, to foster deeper connections and collaboration between communities.
During the meeting, there was a symbolic handshake to mark the commitment for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states. This MoU will outlines areas of cooperation in healthcare, education, and trade, aiming to benefit both New York State and Punjab.
The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly suggested that both delegations develop action items by the end of the trip. This would help create working documents aimed at generating measurable outcomes for the benefit of the people and facilitating the exchange of ideas.
Imtiaz Rahi, President of APPAC, expressed his excitement about the discussions: “We are thrilled to witness the promising dialogue between the delegations of NYS State and Punjab. The commitment shown by both sides to forge a sister state resolution signifies a new chapter of collaboration and mutual growth. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on the people and communities involved.”
Dr. Ijaz Ahmad, Chairman of APPAC, also shared his optimism: “This meeting marks a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen ties between New York State and Punjab. The enthusiasm and dedication exhibited by Deputy Speaker Ramos and the Acting Governor of Punjab are commendable. We are optimistic that the action items and working documents generated from this visit will lead to tangible benefits and innovative exchanges between our regions.”
The delegation’s visit to Punjab is expected to pave the way for future collaborations and set a precedent for meaningful international partnerships
