GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an exhibition in Assam on Monday, drawing attention to the state's core strengths and potential for the future.
It was organized on the eve of the Assam Advantage 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025, a prestigious business summit where investment and economic opportunities in Assam will be promoted.
While visiting, Modi toured different stalls, mingling with participants and delegates. Officials pointed out that the main thrust of the exhibition was to showcase Assam's industrial and cultural rich heritage as well as its new infrastructure developments. The exhibition, 'Assam – Past, Present and Future', gave an overview of industries in the state, skill development programs, and developments in the semiconductor industry.
The exhibition included stalls organized by government departments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and private organizations. It was a pre-cursor to the summit, which will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Tuesday. The event will host diplomats from more than 60 nations, Union ministers, chief ministers, and leading industry heads from India and overseas.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be speaking at the valedictory session on Wednesday. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that investment proposals worth Rs 1.22 lakh crore, which the state cabinet has already cleared, will be signed during the summit.
Earlier on Monday, Modi reached Guwahati and watched a grand 'Jhumur' dance show by nearly 9,000 performers from Assam's tea tribe community. This cultural function was a key highlight before the business summit.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also predicted with certainty that the presence of the Prime Minister at the summit would provide a loud message to investors that Assam is peaceful and stable state now. He added that Assam had earlier outperformed the national GDP rate but due to historical and political issues, it faced setbacks. With fresh initiatives, however, the state is ready for a big economic turnaround.
Sarma asserted that the arrival of top Indian and international investors is a "historic and huge moment" for Assam. Though Assam is perhaps not as big as industrial states such as Gujarat or Tamil Nadu, he insisted that the state has tremendous investment potential based on its rich historical background, vast natural resources, and geographical position.
Sarma also confirmed that PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, along with over 400 foreign delegates, would witness the ‘Jhumoir Binandini’ dance performance, which showcases the culture of Assam’s tea tribes. Following this cultural event, the summit will officially commence, providing a platform for the signing of crucial Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
As part of a review of preparations for the summit, CM Sarma visited major facilities such as exhibition grounds and pavilions. The inauguration of the summit on Tuesday will host India's best industrialists, including Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Anil Agarwal, Prashant Ruia, and Sajjan Jindal.
Several Union ministers will also attend, such as Jyotiraditya Scindia (North Eastern Region Development), Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways), Sarbananda Sonowal (Ports), and Hardeep Singh Puri (Petroleum). Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari will also virtually address one of the sessions.
The summit will also see the presence of representatives from global organizations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, further cementing Assam's place on the world economic map.
Key Focus Areas of the Summit
The business summit will cover a wide range of topics, including:
200 years of Assam Tea
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
One District One Product (ODOP) initiative
Tourism, health, and startup ecosystem
Biomanufacturing and bio-foundries
Agarwood processing and value addition
Semiconductor industry growth
Aerospace and defense manufacturing
Infrastructure development (roads, railways, and river transport)
As Assam hosts this landmark event, the state is positioning itself for a new era of economic growth and industrial development. With the participation of top business leaders and global investors, the Assam Advantage 2.0 Summit is expected to bring transformational changes, boosting investment and strengthening Assam’s role as a key economic hub in India.
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