Tue Jan 07 23:05:00 UTC 2025: ## Assam Pitches for Defence Corridor, Showcases Investment Opportunities

**Guwahati, India –** Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Tuesday that the state government is actively pursuing the establishment of a defence corridor adjacent to Guwahati, extending towards Nagaon. This initiative, currently under negotiation with the Defence Ministry, aims to leverage Assam’s strategic location and growing infrastructure.

The announcement came during a roadshow and roundtable meeting with investors and diplomats from 36 countries, ahead of the ‘Advantage Assam Summit 2.0,’ scheduled for February 25th and 26th. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck are expected to attend the summit, along with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the rationale behind the defence corridor, emphasizing the significant deployment of Indian armed forces in the Northeast. He argued that establishing repair facilities within the region would significantly reduce logistical challenges.

While acknowledging Assam’s potential as a gateway to South Asian and Southeast Asian neighbours, Sarma cautioned that current geopolitical situations in Bangladesh and Myanmar currently hinder such positioning. He instead focused on Assam’s internal economic potential, citing ₹1 lakh crore in upcoming infrastructure projects, including three new Brahmaputra bridges and a satellite city near Guwahati developed in collaboration with Singapore.

Sarma presented Assam as a robust and rapidly growing economy, boasting a 12.5% growth rate and significant investments in infrastructure, health, and education. He emphasized the state’s commitment to green energy, urging all industries, including the upcoming Tata semiconductor plant, to utilize renewable sources. Furthermore, he announced the creation of a ₹25,000 crore corpus fund for production-linked incentives to attract further investment. The state’s burgeoning educational sector, featuring institutions like AIIMS and IIT Guwahati, was also highlighted as a key selling point.

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