EU delegation to visit Assam on June 8-9, launch Blue Valleys clusters initiative

Guwahati, June 7 (IANS) A high-level Team Europe delegation of the European Union (EU) will arrive in Assam’s Guwahati on June 8 for a two-day visit to advance collaboration opportunities with India’s North-Eastern States, in line with the priorities set out in the joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda agreed between the EU and India at their Summit last January.

Europe and India are working together to strengthen cooperation, especially in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

According to a statement released by the EU, the visit will focus on value chains across sectors where Europe and the North-Eastern states of India share strong synergies, including renewable and green energy, sustainable urban infrastructure, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and electronics manufacturing, tea and agri-food processing, flavours and fragrances, and AYUSH.

The EU delegation will comprise Ambassadors and senior representatives from EU Member States, including Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan, alongside European business representatives.

During the visit, the European delegation will hold bilateral talks with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. A business delegation led by the Federation of European Businesses in India (FEBI) will also hold discussions with State officials to identify trade and investment opportunities.

On June 9, the delegation will participate in the ‘Blue Valleys: Building ecosystems and value chains between India and Europe’ workshop, organised by the Assam government. This event will bring together European and Indian businesses to explore partnerships in sustainable value chains, industries and innovation.

“The visit will also see the launch of Assam’s first Blue Valley Cluster, a new industrial hub focused on fragrances, flavours, AYUSH, and food processing. This 4P (public-private-people-partnership) cluster will seek to connect Europe, North-East India, and Bhutan, promoting innovation, research, sustainable manufacturing, and business collaborations. This pilot project, led by the Assam government, is aligned with the Blue Valleys initiative, which was introduced at the 2026 EU-India Summit,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the Blue Valley aims to promote industrial clusters, MSME linkages, and sector-specific value-chain integration between the EU and India, while ensuring economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Clean energy, natural ingredients, bamboo-based industries, eco-friendly textiles, biotech, wellness, and smart manufacturing are the key sectors under this initiative.

“By combining funding, skills development, and sustainability standards, the initiative seeks to create scalable business models that benefit local communities and connect them to European markets, the EU statement read.

Quoting Ambassador Herve Delphin, reflecting on the significance of the visit, the statement read, “North-East India and Assam at its core, has enormous potential – its resources, its skilled workforce and is already one of the fastest growing regions of India by GDP. Through initiatives like Blue Valleys, we’re not just discussing cooperation; we’re building real, long-term business-to-business partnerships that will drive growth for both the EU and India.”

“While the general contours to strengthen the EU-India ties have been finalised at the EU-India summit, it will have to take root at the state level. The EU has a long-standing engagement with Assam, and we are encouraged by the advancements we’re seeing through initiatives like the Blue Valley,” he added.

In addition to meetings and the Blue Valleys event, the delegation will visit Tata Electronics’ new semiconductor plant.

This visit will also highlight the significance of the digital partnership under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and will give European investors a closer look at Assam’s business environment, infrastructure, and industry potential.

“The delegation’s programme in Assam signals a new chapter in EU-India collaboration, with a shared vision to unlock the North-East’s economic potential through innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth,” the EU added.

–IANS

sd/