India is driving its manufacturing sector in Mission Mode,We are promoting Low Cost Manufacturing under Make in India: PM
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati, Assam today. Welcoming all the dignitaries to the event, Modi said, “East India and North East India are embarking on a new journey of future today, and Advantage Assam is a mega initiative to intertwine the incredible potential and progress of Assam with the world.” He added that history is a witness to the major role played by Eastern India in India’s prosperity. Expressing hope, the Prime Minister said, “Today, as we progress towards Viksit Bharat, Eastern India and the North East will showcase their true potential.” He stated that Advantage Assam embodies this spirit and congratulated the Assam Government and Chief Minister for organising such a grand event. He recalled his words from 2013, when he had said that it was not far when ‘A for Assam’ would be the norm.
“Despite global uncertainties, experts unanimously agree on one certainty: India’s rapid growth,” said the Prime Minister. He emphasised that today’s India is working with a long-term vision for the next 25 years of this century. He highlighted that the world has immense trust in India’s young population, which is rapidly becoming skilled and innovative. He also noted the growing confidence in India’s neo-middle class, emerging from poverty with new aspirations. Underscoring the trust the world places in India’s 140 crore people who support political stability and policy continuity, Modi highlighted India’s governance that continues to implement reforms. Furthermore, he pointed out that India is strengthening its local supply chains and entering free trade agreements with various global regions. He also mentioned the robust connectivity with East Asia and the new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, bringing new opportunities.
Highlighting the growing global trust in India, as witnessed by the gathering in Assam, Modi remarked, “Assam’s contribution to India’s growth is steadily increasing.” He noted that the first edition of the Advantage Assam Summit was held in 2018, at which time Assam’s economy was valued at ₹2.75 lakh crore. Today, Assam has become a state with an economy of approximately ₹6 lakh crore, he added, emphasising that under their government, Assam’s economy has doubled in just six years. Furthermore, he said that this is the double effect of their governments at the Centre and the state. The numerous investments in Assam have turned it into a state of unlimited possibilities, he stated.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the Assam government is focusing on education, skill development, and creating a better investment environment. He noted that their government had worked extensively on connectivity-related infrastructure in recent years. He provided an example, stating that before 2014, there were only three bridges over the Brahmaputra river, built over 70 years. However, in the past 10 years, four new bridges have been constructed. One of these bridges is named after Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika.
Modi remarked that between 2009 and 2014, Assam received an average rail budget of ₹2,100 crore, but their government increased Assam’s railway budget more than four times to ₹10,000 crore. He added that over 60 railway stations in Assam are being modernised and also mentioned that the first semi high-speed train in the North East is now operational between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri.
Touching upon the rapid expansion of air connectivity in Assam, the Prime Minister said that until 2014, flights operated on only seven routes, but now there are flights on nearly 30 routes. This expansion has provided a significant boost to the local economy and created employment opportunities for the youth, he added. Modi emphasised that these changes are not limited to infrastructure alone, but there were unprecedented improvements in law and order, with numerous peace accords signed in the past decade and long-pending border issues resolved.
“India is undergoing significant reforms across all sectors and levels of the economy, and continuous efforts have been made to enhance the Ease of Doing Business. A comprehensive ecosystem has been established to promote industry and an innovation culture,” emphasised Modi. He highlighted that excellent policies have been formulated for startups, manufacturing through PLI schemes, and tax exemptions for new manufacturing companies and MSMEs.
The Governor of Assam, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Ministers Dr. S Jaishankar, Sarbananda Sonowal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Chief Minister of Tripura, Dr. Manik Saha, and Union Minister of State, Pabitra Margherita were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
The Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati was held on 25-26 February. It included an inaugural session, seven ministerial sessions, and 14 thematic sessions. Besides, it had a comprehensive exhibition illustrating the state’s economic landscape, with a focus on its industrial evolution, global trade partnerships, booming industries, and the vibrant MSME sector, featuring over 240 exhibitors.
Various international organisations, global leaders and investors, policymakers, industry experts, startups, and students among others participated in the Summit.
