Sarbananda Sonowal Calls PM Modi Assam’s Key Advantage in Development

GUWAHATI: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, emphasized the importance of youth in nation-building during the Think India North-East Summit 2025, organized at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.

Speaking to students from all over the Northeast region, Sonowal pointed out the dramatic change the region has undergone in the last decade and its role in India's economic development. He re-emphasized the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,' focusing on national integration and excellence.

During his speech, the Union Minister said that the country's youth are its driving force. He complimented the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, because of whose vision the government has focused on empowering young minds by providing them with opportunities and refining India's development path. Sonowal said that Assam and the Northeast youth are now getting opportunities on merit and are contributing to building a self-reliant and prosperous India.

He called Prime Minister Modi Assam's greatest strength, as his policies have greatly accelerated the state's development and progress. Sonowal also reiterated India's vision to be among the world's top three economies by 2030. He underscored that innovation, hard work, and commitment to national development are the drivers to realize this vision.

Inviting students to stay rooted in India's cultural heritage while adopting modern technology and artificial intelligence, he invoked Assamese cultural icon Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala to motivate them towards global success through commitment, intelligence, and innovation.

Interacting with the students, Sonowal underlined the increasing importance of the Northeast region in the economic scenario of India.

He averred that all Indians now have faith in the abilities of the nation to become a world leader, which is reflected in the Think India movement. He also reiterated that strategic efforts under the Modi government, especially the 'Act East Policy,' have made the Northeast's integration with national and international markets more robust, overtaking the passive 'Look East Policy' of the earlier governments. In an interactive session, Sonowal responded to students' questions about the makeover of India's maritime economy. Referring to the Economic Survey 2024-25, he pointed out that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has shown remarkable performance in infrastructure development.

He mentioned the remarkable growth of major ports during the tenure of Prime Minister Modi, which reflects India's emergence as a maritime giant. Reiterating the focus of the government on developing India as one among the world's top ten maritime nations, Sonowal outlined strategic strategies like investments in inland waterways, modernization of ports, and green shipping.

He underscored the fact that these are the most important drivers of economic development and sustainable growth.

He ended on an inspiring note, calling upon the youth to take active roles in determining the future, saying, "Our tireless efforts at tapping water resources and developing world-class maritime facilities will not stop. The young generation of our country has a significant role in making this dream a reality."

The Think India North-East Summit 2025 saw the presence of IIT Guwahati Director Prof. Devendra Jalihal, senior faculty, and esteemed dignitaries. The summit allowed for serious deliberations on India's future and the Northeast's pivotal role in the growth story of the country.