The Assam government is in active discussions with the Ministry of Defence to designate areas adjoining Guwahati towards Nagaon as a defence corridor, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on January 7, 2025.

Speaking after a roadshow and a round table meeting with investors, diplomats from 36 countries, and other stakeholders in New Delhi, the Chief Minister highlighted the upcoming Investors and Infrastructure Summit, scheduled for February 25–26, 2025, in Guwahati.

The summit, named Advantage Assam Summit 2.0, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck expected to attend.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also be present, Chief Minister Sarma informed during a press briefing.

“The largest deployment of Indian armed forces is in the North-East or Kashmir. While armoured tanks are transported to the North-East, their repair necessitates returning them to the mainland. Why not establish Assam as a major defence corridor?” the Chief Minister posed.

He confirmed the government’s proactive engagement with the Ministry of Defence, seeking to declare the adjoining areas of Guwahati towards Nagaon as a defence corridor.

When queried on Assam’s potential as a strategic gateway to South Asia and South-East Asia, Chief Minister Sarma acknowledged that current political circumstances in Bangladesh and Myanmar hinder such positioning.

Instead, he emphasised mutual trade opportunities across India, stating, “If finished goods from Chennai can reach Assam, why not the reverse?” He also underscored Assam’s progress in infrastructure development.

Major Infrastructure Projects Unveiled

During his keynote address to diplomats, industry leaders, and other stakeholders, Mr Sarma announced Rs 1 lakh crore worth of new infrastructure projects in Assam.

Key developments include three additional bridges over the Brahmaputra, a satellite city near Guwahati with assistance from the Singapore government, and a new railway line connecting Guwahati to Gelephu in Bhutan.

The Chief Minister detailed Assam’s rapid progress in infrastructure, health, education, and other sectors over the past decade.

Highlighting a focus on green energy, he stated the government is committed to clean and renewable energy, ensuring industries, such as the Tata semiconductor plant at Jagiroad, draw power from sustainable sources.

Economic Growth And Educational Advancements

Describing Assam as “one of the strongest growth engines of the country,” Mr Sarma noted that the State is growing at an impressive 12.5% annually.

He portrayed Assam’s economy as robust and investment-ready.

The Chief Minister also emphasised the State’s emergence as a major educational hub, citing the presence of premier institutions such as AIIMS, the Indian Institute of Technology, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and several State and Central universities.

Upcoming projects like the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology campus further bolster this status.

To attract investors, Chief Minister Sarma announced plans to establish a Rs 25,000 crore corpus fund for a production-linked incentive scheme, offering competitive incentives on par with other Indian states.

“Assam has the skill, capacity, and infrastructure to deliver,” he affirmed, urging investors to seize the opportunities the State provides.

The summit, aimed at boosting investment and infrastructure, is expected to bring Assam into greater focus as a key player in India’s economic and strategic landscape.

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