Guwahati: As good infrastructure is required to attract investment, the Union government in New Delhi is committed to strengthening development and connectivity in Assam as well north-eastern region, commented external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar while interacting
with media persons in the city on Monday. He further said that India and Japan governments are collaborating for enhancing skill development, business, and investment in a robust manner as both countries share a closer and cordial relationship. The visit of Japanese ambassador Satoshi Suzuki to Guwahati reflects how the partnership between the two countries can make a difference in India and more specifically towards the development of Assam.
New Delhi took Act East policy initiative to a higher level with an aim to expand the connectivity with south-east Asian nations like Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan etc and beyond, whose result can be seen with numerous connectivity projects, economic flows and strategic cooperation, asserted Jaishankar. Mentioning the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project, Jaishankar stated that the Centre is also focusing on the development in the aviation sector for the land-locked region, where Assam can play a critical role in power, transportation sector for the eastern zone. Assam is a major player in producing refined petroleum products and hence the government is working to facilitate the sale of products which inspired New Delhi to work on a pipeline to supply diesel to Bangladesh, he added.
Jaishankar mentioned the Maruti- Suzuki joint venture project, New Delhi metro network, proposed bullet train venture connecting Ahmedabad with Mumbai etc saying that these initiatives hold significant importance. Stating that conferring of Padma Bibhusan on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, New Delhi has enhanced the relationship between the two countries to a new height. Japanese diplomat Suzuki commented that the development of the NE region is indispensable for India to become a five trillion economy. Suzuki also mentioned that his country has been supporting various connectivity projects in Assam. He spoke about the 20 Km bridge over the mighty river Brahmaputra which would connect Dhubri to Phulbari on the southern bank.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal informed that the State government proposed setting up a Japanese industrial township in a 600-acre plot in Nagarbera of western Assam which would provide industrial development in the State and business for both the countries. State finance minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Guwahati development minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya with other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
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