1. Vietnam Attends the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit
Table of Contents
From February 24 to 26, 2025, the 2nd Advantage Assam Investment and Infrastructure Summit took place at the Veterinary Field Complex in Khanapara, Guwahati City, Assam State, India.
This is the largest investment promotion event organized by the Government of Assam, aimed at strengthening business and investment cooperation between Indian and international enterprises. The summit brought together major corporations, investors, and high-level officials from both India and abroad, providing an important opportunity for Vietnam to explore cooperation potential with India’s Northeastern region amid growing bilateral relations.
2. Prime Minister Modi Highlights Assam’s Rapid Growth
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized Assam’s growing contribution to India’s economic expansion.
When the first Advantage Assam Summit was held in 2018, the state’s economy was valued at ₹3.25 lakh crore (USD 30 billion); by 2025, it had nearly doubled to ₹6 lakh crore (USD 60 billion) — a remarkable achievement under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Prime Minister also highlighted Assam’s improved infrastructure:
-
In 2014, only three bridges crossed the Brahmaputra River.
-
Over the past decade, four additional bridges have been built, enhancing connectivity through rail, road, air, and waterways.
PM Modi declared:
“Assam is India’s gateway to Southeast Asia. Beyond its infrastructure, natural resources, and strategic location, Assam has become a preferred investment destination.”
3. Sectors and Opportunities Highlighted
The Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit showcased the state’s industrial capabilities and investment opportunities, focusing on key sectors such as:
-
Infrastructure and logistics
-
Energy and renewable resources
-
Digital economy and information technology
-
Defense and aerospace
-
Automotive manufacturing
-
Pharmaceuticals and healthcare
-
Agriculture and agri-tech
-
Tourism, sports, and financial services
The event served as an ideal platform for Government-to-Business (G2B) and Business-to-Business (B2B)engagements, fostering meaningful dialogue between authorities and enterprises.
4. Strong Participation from Indian Leaders and Corporates
The summit received strong attention from the Indian Government and major business leaders. Attendees included:
-
Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar
-
Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal
-
Minister of Communications and Development of the Northeast Region Jyotiraditya Scindia
-
Governor of Assam Lakshman Prasad Acharya
-
Chief Ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam) and Manik Saha (Tripura)
Leading Indian conglomerates also participated, including:
Tata Group (N. Chandrasekaran), Reliance (Mukesh Ambani), Adani Group (Gautam Adani), Essar Group (Prashant Ruia), Vedanta (Anil Agarwal), and JSW Group (Sajjan Jindal) — all of whom expressed strong investment commitments across diverse sectors in the coming years.
5. Vietnam’s Engagement and Cooperation Outlook
The Vietnam Trade Counselor in India, Mr. Bui Trung Thuong, attended the event and held discussions with Indian enterprises at the exhibition held alongside the summit.
Mr. Thuong reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to expanding economic and investment cooperation with India, especially with the Northeastern states, which are increasingly attracting international investors due to their strategic location and emerging industrial potential.
The summit offered valuable opportunities for Vietnamese and Indian enterprises to explore joint ventures, trade partnerships, and long-term sustainable cooperation.