Assam: Gateway to Southeast Asia and Global South, says Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted Assam's strategic importance as a gateway to Southeast Asia and the Global South during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Infrastructure and Investment Summit in Guwahati. Addressing the session titled ‘I-way to Viksit Assam,’ Scindia reportedly emphasized the state's potential as a manufacturing and logistics hub with limitless growth possibilities. Scindia noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has maintained a growth rate of approximately 6.5% to 7% over the past decade. He further highlighted Assam's remarkable economic progress, with a decadal growth rate of 12.6%. The state experienced over 19% growth last year and is projected to grow by 15.6% in the current financial year. Scindia attributed this growth to the government's focus on developing the northeastern region, stating that the Centre has contributed  Rs 5.22 lakh crore to the region's development budget over the last decade.

Advantage Assam = Advantage India pic.twitter.com/CKpoN5LT0z

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) February 25, 2025

The minister underscored Assam's evolving role as a connectivity hub, noting that the number of airports in the region has increased from nine to 17 in the past decade. Guwahati airport, the busiest in the region, now handles 13.5 million passengers annually, up from 3.4 million previously. Scindia emphasized the importance of information technology alongside physical infrastructure, mentioning significant investments in IT and communication sectors in Assam.
According to information,the Centre has allocated close to Rs 4,000 crores for IT and communications in Assam. Following the establishment of 5G labs at IIT-Guwahati and NIT-Silchar, a third lab will be set up at Gauhati University. Additionally, Assam will host four hyperscale data centres, which will be the largest in Asia, spanning one million square feet. Scindia highlighted the government's vision to promote unicorn startups from rural India, facilitated by improved IT connectivity under PM Modi's leadership. Scindia emphasized that Assam's strategic position and ongoing infrastructure developments make it a crucial gateway to Southeast Asia and the Global South, driving the state's emergence as an economic powerhouse.

( State Correspondent)