PM Modi, Japan PM Sanae Takaichi likely to meet at Guwahati summit on July 1, Assam CM confirms | Today’s news
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is likely to visit India on a three-day visit from July 1. Takaichi is expected to hold summit-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on June 9.
The two prime ministers are expected to hold talks on various issues with a focus on economic and infrastructure cooperation.
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Inaugurating the Blue Valley Cluster- Fragrances, Flavors and Ayush pilot project in collaboration with the European Union, the Chief Minister said there was a possibility of summit level talks between the two Prime Ministers in Guwahati.
”This will again strengthen the role of Assam in India-Japan relationship,” he added.
The possibility of the summit being held here indicates the growing importance of Assam as a key stakeholder in the Act East policy.
Why is Assam significant?
The visit assumes significance as it comes years after the planned summit between former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Guwahati in December 2019 was officially postponed. The trip was canceled by protests in the Assam capital against the newly passed Citizenship Act (CAA).
Assam has also witnessed heavy investment in transport, education and digital infrastructure in recent years, strengthening its role as a major growth hub in the Northeast.
One of Japan’s flagship projects in Assam is the Guwahati Water Supply Project, funded through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assistance worth ₹1,736 million. The project aims to provide reliable drinking water to more than 140,000 households in Guwahati and has become a showcase of India-Japan cooperation in urban development in the Northeast.
“Team Europe” at a high level
A high-level delegation of the European Union “Team Europe” visited Guwahati on June 8-9 to explore the possibilities of cooperation with all North Eastern states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
CM Sarma met a high-level European Union (EU) delegation led by EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin today as part of a delegation. The visit was aimed at deepening trade ties, exploring investment opportunities and strengthening business partnerships between European markets and Northeast India.
The commitment comes amid efforts by New Delhi and Brussels to advance cooperation under the India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda launched earlier this year. Northeast India is increasingly attracting global investors due to its strategic location, rich natural resources and growing industrial base.
Addressing a press conference after meeting a European delegation in the state capital of Assam, Chief Minister Sarma added that Assam has outperformed India in terms of growth, which will encourage investors.
“India is growing at 29 percent and Assam is growing at 45 percent. So that’s the speed, that’s the momentum that we have, I think our economic growth trajectory will support the investor coming to Assam to invest,” Sarma said.
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On the back of the state’s achievements over the past five years, CM Sarma sees a greater growth trajectory for Assam.
I see a greater pace in the next five years. What we have achieved in the last five years, the pace will be much faster in the next five years.
“I see more momentum in the next five years. What we have achieved in the last five years, the momentum will be much faster in the next five years,” he said.
