Assam CM says State in talks with Centre to create a defence corridor

Assam government negotiates defense corridor, infrastructure projects, and green energy initiatives to boost economy and attract investments.

The Assam government is actively negotiating with the Defence Ministry for the declaration of areas adjoining Guwahati towards Nagaon as a defence corridor, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said here on Tuesday (January 7, 2024).

Mr. Sarma made these remarks after holding a roadshow and a round table meeting with investors, diplomats from 36 countries, and other stakeholders ahead of the Investors and Infrastructure Summit to be held in Guwahati on February 25 and 26.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ‘Advantage Assam Summit 2.0’ with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck expected to be in attendance. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar would be attending the summit, Mr. Sarma said while briefing press persons.

“The biggest deployment of Indian armed forces are either in the north-eastern States or Kashmir. Now, you take armoured tanks to the Northeast but when you have to repair the tank, you have to bring it back to the mainland to the ordnance factory. Why can’t Assam be a big defence corridor?” Mr. Sarma said.

“The Assam government is actively engaged in discussion with the Ministry of Defence for declaration of the adjoining areas of Guwahati towards Nagaon as defence corridor,” he added.

Asked if the Government is pitching Assam, for its strategic location, as a gateway to India’s South Asian neighbours and the South East Asia, Mr. Sarma said the present situation in Bangladesh and Myanmar does not allow such a positioning.

“When there is talk about such strategic location, people tend to discount rest of India. My point is if finished goods from Chennai can go to Assam, why can’t the reverse also happen,” Mr. Sarma, pointing out that the State has major strides in infrastructure.