GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, June 12, called for a development framework based on “Geographic Equity,” arguing that India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 must ensure that economic growth reaches all regions of the country, including geographically disadvantaged areas such as the Northeast.
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Addressing NITI Aayog’s interaction with Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of the Northeastern states in New Delhi, Sarma said that while the first phase of India’s transformation focused on accelerating economic growth, the next phase should prioritise expanding the geography of growth to ensure wider participation in development.
Highlighting the Northeast’s changing role in national policymaking, the Chief Minister said the region has moved from the periphery to the centre of India’s development agenda. He cited improvements in connectivity, infrastructure, peace-building initiatives and the Act East Policy as factors that have strengthened the region’s strategic and economic importance.
Sarma also pointed to Assam’s recent economic progress, noting rising investor confidence and growing investments in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy and technology.
However, he noted that geography continues to pose structural challenges for Assam and the wider Northeast. Unlike coastal states that benefit from port access, shorter supply chains and lower logistics costs, Assam remains dependent on a narrow transportation corridor, resulting in higher infrastructure costs and longer freight movement times.
To address these disparities, the Chief Minister proposed that public investment in strategically important but geographically constrained regions should be assessed through the lens of national integration, regional balance and long-term competitiveness rather than expenditure efficiency alone. He described this approach as the principle of “Geographic Equity.”
Emphasising the importance of human capital, Sarma said Assam’s young population remains one of its greatest strengths. He called for skill development initiatives to be aligned with emerging sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, green energy and advanced manufacturing to ensure that youth from the Northeast can fully participate in India’s evolving knowledge economy.
Concluding his remarks, the Chief Minister said the next decade should position the Northeast at the heart of India’s growth architecture. Reaffirming Assam’s aspirations, he said the state is ready to serve as a growth hub, a gateway economy and a strategic bridge connecting India with the wider Asian region.
