Guwahati: Connectivity entails not only building bridges or roads, but also focusing on data corridors, energy, and tourism.

This was said by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma at the valedictory session of the "Asian Confluence River Conclave, 2022," which concluded yesterday in the presence of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

He stated that increased collaboration and connectivity, together with the wise use of natural resources in a long-term and environmentally sound way, is the key to the overall development of the BBIN, ASEAN, and BIMSTEC areas. This was said by the Chief Minister at the conclave.

The Conclave was held by "Asian Confluence" in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Government of Assam on May 28 and 29, 2022 at Guwahati with the goal of boosting sub-regional cooperation in the BBIN, ASEAN, and BIMSTEC areas.

Chief Minister Dr. Sarma emphasised the importance of connection in aiding economic advancement, saying that improving connectivity should not be limited to the construction of bridges, roads, rivers, and airways. He stated that there is a need to focus on data corridors, education and tourism, energy, and cultural ties in addition to physical connectivity infrastructures.

He also requested regional collaboration to develop bamboo value chains in the north-east and emphasized the need of opening borders for peace and prosperity by establishing Border Haats.
He went on to say that the national and state governments are working hard to make the connection with ASEAN and Bangladesh a reality through roads, railroads, and airways. He stated that the riverine connection in the state is changing dramatically and that the state administration is renovating ports and boats as part of a World Bank initiative.

The Chief Minister also discussed the possibilities for people-to-people connections, cultural exchanges, student exchanges, and tourism, and expressed optimism for significant future engagement in these areas.

Dr. Sarma stated that the northeastern region is on the verge of an unparalleled shift as a result of the Government of India's Act East Policy and that real involvement in critical economic issues may be a game-changer for the region.

The Chief Minister also emphasised the Guwahati Declaration, which was recently announced as part of the North East Research Conclave 2022 at IIT Guwahati. According to Dr. Sarma, the Guwahati Declaration was created with the goal of fostering science and technology education, promoting research, encouraging innovation, the start-up ecosystem, and entrepreneurship, and serving as a multi-stakeholder platform in the northeast to address societal problems in the region and beyond.