PM Modi Champions Assam’s Rise at Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit
The two-day Advantage Assam event, held at the Veterinary Field in Khanapara, marks Assam’s boldest push yet to cement its status as a global investment hub
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took center stage today at the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit in Guwahati, painting an ambitious picture of Assam’s economic future while celebrating its cultural vibrancy. The two-day event, held at the Veterinary Field in Khanapara, marks Assam’s boldest push yet to cement its status as a global investment hub, drawing delegates from over 60 countries and showcasing the state’s rapid transformation.
In his address, Modi highlighted Assam’s economic leap, noting that the state’s Gross State Domestic Product has soared from 2.45 lakh crore in 2018 to nearly 6 lakh crore today under BJP-led governance. “Assam has set a target to reach a $150 billion economy by 2030,” he said, exuding confidence in the state’s trajectory. “The reason for my optimism is the capable, dynamic workforce here and the rapid growth driving this change.” He tied Assam’s ascent to India’s broader narrative, emphasizing the world’s trust in the country’s skilled youth and emerging middle class as engines of progress.
The summit, Assam’s largest-ever investment promotion effort, comes at a pivotal moment. Once shadowed by insurgency, the state has emerged as a beacon of stability, a point Modi underscored by referencing the peace accords signed over the last decade and the resolution of long-standing border disputes. “Every region of Assam, every citizen, is now part of this journey,” he said, framing the state as a gateway to Southeast Asia and a linchpin in India’s development story.
Modi also spotlighted Assam’s natural advantages, particularly in energy. “With the growth of gas infrastructure, demand has surged, and the entire gas and economy sector is expanding quickly,” he noted. “Assam has a significant edge here.” This nod to the state’s petroleum resources dovetails with its diversification into sectors like agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing—sectors prominently featured in the summit’s 14 thematic sessions and sprawling exhibition of over 240 stalls.
The event kicked off with cultural flair, following Modi’s attendance at the Jhumoir Binandini programme on February 24. There, 8,000 performers from Assam’s tea tribes delivered a mesmerizing display of the traditional Jhumur dance, a spectacle Modi called “phenomenal” and “soul-touching” on social media. The performance, symbolizing 200 years of the tea industry, set the tone for a summit blending heritage with ambition.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a driving force behind the event, credited Modi’s leadership for Assam’s turnaround. “Once the most disturbed state in the country, Assam is now the most peaceful,” Sarma said, pointing to industrial milestones like the Tata semiconductor plant in Jagiroad and a forthcoming greenfield fertilizer unit announced in the national budget. The presence of Union Ministers like S. Jaishankar, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, alongside virtual remarks from Nitin Gadkari, underscored the Centre’s backing.
Investors echoed the optimism. Business leaders from across India and abroad praised Assam’s infrastructure push—new bridges, rail links, and IT parks—and its business-friendly policies. The state’s pitch as a startup and manufacturing hub for the Northeast resonated, with Modi predicting it would soon lead the region’s economic charge.
As the summit unfolds, Assam stands at a crossroads, leveraging its strategic location and stability to attract global capital. Modi’s address framed it as more than a regional event—it’s a microcosm of India’s rise, with Assam poised to play a starring role. Whether it hits that $150 billion mark by 2030 remains to be seen, but for now, Advantage Assam 2.0 has put the state firmly on the map.
Pic Credit PTI.
