Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit on February 25, 2025, emphasizing the importance of Eastern India and particularly Assam as pillars of India’s economic advancement. Held in Guwahati, the summit garnered attention not just for its local significance but also for its globalization aspirations, attracting over 240 exhibitors and several high-level delegations from various countries including Australia, South Korea, and Japan.
The event consisted of eight ministerial discussions and thematic sessions showcasing Assam's growth potential, mooting the state's vision to become a premier investment destination within India. Modi began his address by reflecting on Assam’s historical significance, stating, “History is witness to the role Eastern India has played in India’s prosperity. Today, as India moves toward rapid development, once again, the Northeast is poised to showcase its immense potential.”
Modi's remarks segued beautifully with the concrete announcements from business giants; both Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani pledged ₹50,000 crore each for investments across various sectors. Their commitments were touted as transformational investments aimed at turning Assam from peripheral to central within India’s developmental narrative.
Addressing the assembly, Ambani expressed optimism for Assam’s transformation: “At the 2018 investment summit, I announced ₹5,000 crore; since then, investments have galloped to ₹12,000 crore. This amount will quadruple as we invest ₹50,000 crore over the next five years,” indicating ambitious plans to develop clean energy hubs and technological infrastructures such as AI data centers and mega food parks.
Similarly, Gautam Adani laid out plans focused on diversified infrastructure investments, mentioning developments across airports, gas distribution networks, and road projects. “This vision of progress is one we are eager to be part of,” Adani noted at the summit.
The growing economic ambitions for the state are underscored by ambitious targets set by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who projected Assam’s economy to reach $143 billion by 2030, attributing this growth to rising stability and historical reforms since the introduction of Modi’s leadership. “Our state’s GDP growth this year will be 15.2 percent,” Sarma announced. “Assam, once considered the most disturbed state, is now the most peaceful.”
The convergence of industrial interest, governmental backing, and local aspirations is being framed within the larger vision of Assam’s integration with national and international markets. PM Modi also called attention to the burgeoning technology sector, particularly noting Assam’s significance as a hub for semiconductor production with Tata Semiconductor setting up operations, which is seen as pivotal for the entire Northeast region.
“Our supply chains are strengthening, and free trade agreements are increasingly forming as we connect with various regions; East Asia is especially valuable,” Modi said. He posited the summit as more than just economic opportunities but as avenues to form partnerships for development.
Further discussions emphasized immediate plans during the summit, including the signings of key memoranda of understandings expected to exceed ₹120 trillion. The impact of this resurgence was evidently tied to PM Modi’s initiatives, stating, “Assam has surged on the development map under this government’s stewardship.”
The juxtaposition of local history and future aspirations served as reminders of Assam's transformation from conflict to burgeoning opportunities. Amit Kumar, the chief executive of Bengal Business Group, articulated this sentiment succinctly, saying, “The Assam we knew has evolved dramatically. It is no longer just the tea paradise but quickly becoming the technological epicenter.” Ambani highlighted how Assam's youth could redefine its identity with advancements, saying, “Our tech-savvy youth will give new meaning not just to technology but our educational methods.”
The summit stands as more than mere investments; it is pivotal for fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and connecting Assam with the world. The warm reception from international and local stakeholders reflects the optimism surrounding Assam's growth narrative.
The conjoined efforts from both government and private sectors at the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit signify what could be landmark economic advancement for Assam and the Northeastern region as larger contributors to India's holistic growth strategy.