Washington: After their euphoria with China, US businesses are rapidly looking at India as their new destination, with several American states governments planning to send trade missions to access its "fast-growing market".

According to Michael Taylor, executive vice president, US-India Business Alliance, there is a "stampede" to visit the country with India having been picked up by "everyone's radar scope now." He sys now it was just a matter of when and not if to visit the country, the way China was once a destination that they had to explore.

The US-India Business Alliance helps organise such missions and has been in touch with around a dozen states about possible trips.

Taylor says the governors of Virginia and Iowa have already visited the country, while Minnesota, California and Utah are drawing up the itinerary for their governors to meet business and political leaders.

In fact, governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota plans to lead a 30-member trade mission to New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai later in October this year to acquaint Indian businesses to Minnesota's business potential.

In a message to Minnesota's business leaders on the forthcoming trade mission to India, Pawlenty invited them to "take a closer look at business opportunities in India, and I encourage you to consider applying to join the delegation."

In 2005, while US manufactured exports to India touched $6.8 billion - a 111-per cent increase since 2000, Minnesota's manufactured exports rose 208 per cent to $85 million in the same period.

Currently India imports only a fraction of Minnesota's $14 billion of exports and the government finds compelling reasons to do business with the world's fastest growing, free-market democracy with a GDP growth of nine per cent per year. Some of the reasons Pawlenty highlighted are:

• Major market for infrastructure:
  Over the next several years, India's transportation, energy, environmental, health care, high-tech, and defence sectors are expected to undergo major overhaul, which will create greater demand for products and services.
• Growing consumer demand:
  India's middle class (200 million people and growing) has increasing purchasing power and increasing consumer demand.
• Pro-American environment:
  With an overwhelmingly favourable impression of the United States, India is one of the most pro-American countries in the world and is eager to work with American businesses.
• Youth power
  More than 58 per cent of the Indian population is under 20 - more than 564 million people - nearly twice the total population of the US. This younger population has an increasing desire for high-tech products and services.

The agenda will include market and industry presentations, networking events, business roundtable discussions and customised one-on-one business introductions.