A high-level delegation from the European Union and its member countries will visit Assam on June 8 and 9 to deepen engagement with India's Northeast and explore opportunities for trade, investment and sustainable development, marking another step in the growing India-EU strategic partnership.
The delegation, led by EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan Herve Delphin, will include ambassadors from EU member states and representatives of European businesses operating in India. The visit will focus on expanding economic cooperation across the Northeastern states, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
According to an EU statement, discussions will centre on sectors where the Northeast and Europe possess complementary strengths. These include renewable energy, green technologies, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, tea processing, agri-business, natural ingredients, fragrances, flavours and AYUSH-based industries.
A key engagement during the visit will be a meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Representatives of the Federation of European Businesses in India (FEBI) will also interact with state government officials to identify areas for investment and industrial collaboration.
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The highlight of the programme will be the 'Blue Valleys: Building Ecosystems and Value Chains Between India and Europe' workshop on June 9. Organised by the Assam government, the event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders and businesses from India and Europe to discuss sustainable industrial development and innovation-led partnerships.
During the workshop, Assam is expected to launch its first Blue Valley Cluster, a specialised industrial ecosystem aimed at promoting sectors such as food processing, fragrances, flavours and AYUSH products. The initiative is built on a public-private-people partnership model and seeks to strengthen economic linkages between Northeast India, Europe and Bhutan.
Officials said the project will support MSMEs, encourage value-chain integration and promote sustainable industrial growth. Priority sectors include clean energy, biotechnology, wellness, bamboo-based industries, sustainable textiles and advanced manufacturing.
The European delegation will also visit the semiconductor manufacturing facility of Tata Electronics in Assam, showcasing the state's emerging role in high-technology manufacturing and digital partnerships.
The visit comes amid growing efforts by India and the EU to expand economic cooperation and unlock the Northeast's potential as a gateway for investment, technology transfer and sustainable growth.
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