In a significant step toward realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ashtalakshmi” vision for Northeast India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma concluded a productive review meeting with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and officials from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) today.
The high-level meeting resulted in a comprehensive 5-point framework aimed at unlocking Assam’s economic potential across multiple sectors, with special emphasis on indigenous industries and border area development.
“Just concluded a very productive review meeting with Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia Ji and officials from DoNER and Team Assam,” Chief Minister Sarma announced on social media following the discussions.
Just concluded a very productive review meeting with Hon’ble Union Minister Shri @JM_Scindia Ji and officials from @MDoNER_India and Team Assam.
The Ministry is working on a 5 Point Framework to realise Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision of transforming our… pic.twitter.com/IdWmThXgXG
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 16, 2025
The strategic partnership will focus on five key areas of development. Muga silk production – Assam’s golden silk that enjoys Geographical Indication (GI) tag status – tops the list as a sector with significant export and employment potential. The initiative also targets expanded cultivation of palm oil and agarwood, both high-value agricultural products suited to the region’s climate.
Tourism development constitutes another pillar of the framework, with plans to leverage Assam’s diverse natural landscapes, wildlife sanctuaries, and cultural heritage to boost visitor numbers and create sustainable employment opportunities throughout the state.
A standout element of the agreement involves transforming border villages into “Vibrant Villages” – an initiative that aligns with the central government’s border area development programs while addressing security concerns and preventing outmigration from frontier regions.
The meeting also produced a roadmap for streamlining supply chains across Northeast India, with commitments to increase investments in critical infrastructure, power generation and distribution, and last-mile connectivity – persistent challenges in the region’s economic development.
“The Ministry is working on a 5-Point Framework to realize Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of transforming our Ashtalakshmi States,” the Chief Minister noted, referencing the Prime Minister’s characterization of the eight northeastern states as “Ashtalakshmi”.
