GUWAHATI (Staff Correspondent): Addressing the session on ‘Act East, Act Fast and Act First’ during the ‘Advantage Assam 2.0 – Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025’, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar highlighted that Act East starts with a change of approach by Delhi towards Assam and Northeastern States that has happened since 2014 under Prime Minister Modi government. It is supported by Purvodaya Scheme to bring new energy and resources to infrastructure, employment, skilling and development, he added.
Dr Jaishankar further stated that Assam can act as a hub for our Act East Policy and brand Assam grows stronger by the day. Neighborhood First policy has transformed infrastructure and connectivity across our eastern borders and wholehearted commitment to bilateral and regional cooperation can take it further. ASEAN is a partner of enormous consequence. The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral (IMTT) highway can be a real game changer, and every effort should be made to advance it, noted the Minister.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “For the first time in the history of Assam, India’s External Affairs Minister has led such a large delegation of Heads of Missions and Ambassadors to our state. The panel discussed how Assam is the centerpiece of India’s Act East Policy and how nations can come forward, invest in Assam and leverage the unlimited opportunities it has to offer.”
Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, Co-Chair (India), ASEAN India Business Council; President, FICCI & Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Emami Limited, while addressing the Panel Discussion, shared that the key sectors for business collaboration with ASEAN include Digital Economy, Semiconductors, Electronics, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals among others.
While highlighting the importance of ‘Advantage Assam 2.0’, President FICCI said that North East is an important part of the India’s Act East Policy and this event helps in promoting people-to-people connect and it is a great beginning to a great momentum. We need to see how Assam can position itself, due to its strategic location, to attract investment from the Asian region.
H E Mr Simon Wong, High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore highlighted that Singapore is one of the top investors for India with cumulative investments of USD 165 billion in 5 Indian states. Assam has been identified as one of the key states for collaboration with Singapore.
H E Mr Herve Delphin, Ambassador of European Union to India highlighted the importance of fostering connectivity with Assam and focus on mobilizing private investments for high value sectors.
Maj. General Vetsop Namgyel, Ambassador of Bhutan to India highlighted that there are challenges in land connectivity, thus we need to focus on effective utilization of air links, inland waterways and digital routes. He also acknowledged the support of Government of India towards the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project.
H E Mr Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India focused on soft connectivity and people to people connectivity essential for the linkages between the regions, collaboration with Japanese Universities and collaboration in sectors such as Semi- conductors, agriculture including bamboo.
The session was moderated by Dr Harsh V Pant, Vice President- Studies and Foreign Policy, Observer Research Foundation; Prof Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) also shared his perspective in this session.
Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI was also present during the event along with other dignitaries including Ambassadors and delegates.
The two-day ‘Advantage Assam 2.0’– Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 was today inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Mr Narendra Modi. FICCI is the Industry Partner to ‘Advantage Assam 2.0’, which is being held from 25th to 26th February in Guwahati. It includes various ministerial sessions and 14 thematic sessions. It also includes a comprehensive exhibition illustrating the state’s economic landscape, with a focus on its industrial evolution, global trade partnerships, booming industries, and the vibrant MSME sector, featuring over 240 exhibitors.
Various international organisations, global leaders and investors, policymakers, industry experts, startups, and students among others will participate in the Summit.
