Kaziranga (Assam): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, along with Ambassadors and Heads of Mission from 45 countries, experienced an Elephant Safari at Kaziranga National Park on Monday ahead of the Advantage Assam summit in Guwahati, set to begin on February 25.
Promoting Assam on the Global Stage
Speaking about the visit, EAM Jaishankar emphasized the importance of promoting Assam and the Northeast as a global tourist and investment destination.
“I am very happy to see the increasing number of tourists here. We are in Assam for Advantage Assam and heading to Guwahati after this. We want to give Assam and the Northeast a higher profile—bring in more international interest, tourists, and investors. It’s a great start to the day,” Jaishankar said.
When asked about Kaziranga’s rising tourist footfall, he acknowledged the positive trend:
“Yes, I know. I was told that we have already crossed three lakh visitors. It’s a good trend. Even the Prime Minister has encouraged people to visit different states across India, given our wealth of natural and cultural tourism,” he added.
Global Delegates Praise Kaziranga’s Natural Beauty
International delegates shared their awe-inspiring experiences after witnessing the park’s rich biodiversity, which includes elephants, rhinos, and tigers.
A delegate from Timor-Leste expressed his admiration for the park, stating:
“It was a privilege to visit Kaziranga and see wild animals like elephants, rhinos, and tigers. Assam and India have a great potential to showcase this to the world. The wild animals here teach us about peace—how rhinos and elephants, both strong creatures, can coexist.”
Another diplomat praised the initiative:
“I thank the Minister of External Affairs and Assam authorities for giving us an unforgettable experience. Though we are based in New Delhi, this visit has allowed us to witness Assam’s natural beauty firsthand. I hope the animals here live long and thrive.”
Advantage Assam: Boosting Investment in the Northeast
Advantage Assam is the largest investment promotion initiative by the Government of Assam. The summit aims to highlight Assam’s geostrategic advantages and its potential as an investment hub.
Strategically positioned as a gateway to Northeast India and Southeast Asia, Assam is renowned for its tea gardens and petroleum resources. The state is now expanding its focus into agriculture, food processing, handicrafts, tourism, and information technology.
With the growing international interest, the event is expected to attract global investors and bolster Assam’s economy, further establishing it as a key player in India’s Act East Policy.