My dream is to make Assam a contributing state to India’s growth: CM

Dr. S. Jaishankar reiterates Union Government’s commitment to the Act East Policy

State government seeks to harness geographical advantage and rich heritage to foster enduring and mutually beneficial partnerships: CM

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended a high-level session titled “Act East, Act Fast, Act First” in the presence of Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar which was organized as part of Advantage Assam 2.0 in Guwahati on Tuesday. This session organized as a strategic forum to advance Assam’s role in India’s Act East Policy, focusing on enhancing regional connectivity, boosting trade, and strengthening cross-border collaboration emphasized Assam’s position as the gateway to India’s Act East Policy. The session explored opportunities for digital infrastructure development, trade expansion, and policy frameworks to accelerate economic integration with ASEAN and neighbouring countries. It underscored Assam’s commitment to becoming a digitally empowered, seamlessly connected state driving regional growth and cooperation.

Delivering the key note address, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, reiterated the Government of India’s steadfast commitment to the Act East Policy, emphasizing India’s dynamic diplomatic engagements with ASEAN nations. He also highlighted Assam’s crucial role in strengthening infrastructure and economic linkages to facilitate deeper regional integration.

Speaking at the session, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that historically, India has shared deep-rooted civilizational ties with the nations of East and Southeast Asia. Among these connections, the strongest passed through Assam and the Northeast, establishing the region as both a geographical link and a cultural bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Considering the importance of Assam, he said that his dream is to make Assam a contributing state to India’s growth, ensuring that the accomplishment of a Vikshit Assam and a Vikshit India by 2047 becomes fast and seamless.

He said, “We are celebrating Assam’s success and looking ahead to its bright future. Our goal is to transform Assam into a state that actively contributes to the nation’s progress rather than one that depends on assistance”. He said that the Prime Minister is deeply committed to the development of Assam and the Northeast. In a historic initiative, after the independence, the Hon’ble External Affairs Minister led a high-level delegation of 62 ambassadors and high commissioners to the state, marking a significant milestone in Assam’s global engagement. With unwavering dedication, the state is marching towards Vikshit Assam contributing to Vikshit Bharat by 2047, Dr. Sarma added.

The Chief Minister said that the Government of India, in its efforts to position Assam as a leading hub for trade and industry, is actively engaging with ASEAN nations to streamline trade policies, including the revision of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to facilitate smoother economic exchanges. The Chief Minister also thanked External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar for his presence in the session apart from leading a high-level delegation comprising the Heads of Mission.

The session commenced with an insightful introduction by Dr. Harsh V. Pant, Vice President – Studies and Foreign Policy, Observer Research Foundation. Pant underscored that India and ASEAN have partnered successfully to tap the immense potential in sectors like infrastructure, green energy, health and pharmaceutical etc.

Simon Wong, High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore delivering his address stated that the Prime Minister of Singapore is keen on exploring new opportunities beyond traditional sectors, with Assam being one such promising state. He also appreciated the state’s single-window system for ease of doing business.

Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India appreciated Assam’s rich human and natural resources. He noted that the European Union, one of the largest investors in India, now considers Assam increasingly important as the gateway to the eastern region as the Union is now ‘working east’.

Major General Vetsop Namgyel, Ambassador of Bhutan while appreciating India’s Act East Policy said that the proposed Gelephu Mindfulness City will augur well in adding more meaning and vibrance in Assam.

Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan, spoke on the cultural ties and people to people contact between India and Japan. He also talked on Act East Policy and Japan’s association with Assam and other North Eastern states in infrastructure projects.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, Minister for Act East Policy Affairs Department of Government of Assam Chandra Mohan Patowary, Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, Co-Chair (India), ASEAN-India Business Council; President, FICCI, and Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) were present on the occasion.