Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called for balanced and inclusive development across the Northeastern region, emphasizing that regional aspirations and local needs must remain at the heart of policymaking. Speaking at an interaction organised by NITI Aayog in New Delhi, Sarma highlighted Assam’s rapid economic growth and improvements in social development while stressing the importance of stronger cooperation among Northeastern states.
Sarma noted that Assam has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing states, achieving significant progress across several sectors. However, he cautioned that development should be evenly distributed to prevent regional disparities and ensure that all sections of society benefit from economic growth. He also underlined the need for state-specific development strategies, supported by investments in infrastructure, human resource development and skill enhancement.
A major highlight of the meeting was the recently signed tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India and the governments of Assam and Nagaland to facilitate mineral oil exploration in border areas. Sarma described the agreement as an example of constructive interstate cooperation.
The meeting, chaired by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairperson Ashok Lahiri, brought together leaders from all eight Northeastern states to discuss development priorities, innovations and challenges. Participants emphasized the importance of connectivity, investment, infrastructure and environmental sustainability in driving future growth. The interaction reflected a shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating the Northeast’s contribution to India’s development journey.
