Sharing details of the meeting on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said discussions held on Tuesday evening at the Union Minister’s official residence focused on finalising the contours of the proposed IIM Guwahati campus, which is expected to play a key role in strengthening higher education infrastructure in the state.
“Assam will become East India’s next education hub, and we are trying to get the best possible institutions here. Today I had a very good meeting with Hon’ble Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Ji on finalising the contours of the IIM-Guwahati campus. Grateful for his relentless support towards strengthening education infrastructure in Assam,” Sarma wrote.
The proposed IIM Guwahati is part of the Assam government’s broader vision to transform the state into a premier educational destination in eastern India by attracting top-tier academic and research institutions.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the Union Education Minister’s continued support in expanding educational opportunities and infrastructure across Assam. The development is expected to boost management education, research, and skill development in the region while enhancing Assam’s reputation as an emerging education hub.
Further details regarding the campus location, infrastructure plans, and timeline for implementation are expected to be announced after consultations between the state and central governments are completed.
Sarma on Wednesday also called on President Droupadi Murmu and briefed her on the state’s rapid economic growth and future development roadmap.The meeting assumes significance as it was Sarma’s first meeting with the President after assuming office for a second consecutive term as Chief Minister.
Sharing details of the meeting on social media platform X, the Chief Minister described the President as an “epitome of courage, resilience and leadership” and said that interacting with her is always an inspiring experience.
“Meeting the Hon’ble President is always an inspiring experience, and her words act as encouragement in our path of public service,” Sarma wrote.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister apprised the President of Assam’s ongoing growth journey and the government’s plans to sustain the momentum in the coming years.
“After assuming office for the second time, I briefed her on Assam’s ongoing growth journey as India’s fastest-growing state and how we plan to take this momentum forward,” he said.
Sarma also sought the President’s blessings and guidance as his government continues to focus on public welfare, infrastructure expansion, and economic development.
“I sought her blessings and guidance to continue our journey of public welfare and development,” the Chief Minister added.
Sarma also said he had a productive meeting with Jagrut Kotecha, Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo India, at his official residence in the national capital.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said he discussed the progress of PepsiCo India’s ongoing operations in Assam as well as the company’s future expansion plans in the state.
“Had a good meeting with Jagrut Kotecha, CEO of PepsiCo India. Discussed the progress of the group’s ongoing operations in Assam and its expansion plans in the coming days. Assam is steadily emerging as a preferred hub for various industrial activities,” Sarma posted.
The meeting comes as part of the Chief Minister’s continued engagement with leading industry figures to attract investments and accelerate industrial growth in Assam.
During his five-day visit to the national capital, Chief Minister Sarma met several industry leaders, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman and Managing Director S.N. Subrahmanyan, Bharti Enterprises Vice Chairman and Managing Director Rajan Bharti Mittal, and representatives of the Rashmi Group, to press for the early execution of ongoing projects and encourage further investments in Assam.
The Chief Minister highlighted the state’s conducive law and order situation, stable economy, investor-friendly policies, and incentives, including initiatives aimed at improving ease of doing business.
The Rashmi Group, a Kolkata-based family-owned industrial conglomerate, has a diversified portfolio spanning iron and steel, cement, power and logistics sectors, with operations across India.
The outreach forms part of Assam’s sustained efforts to attract investments following the successful Advantage Assam 2.0: Investment and Infrastructure Summit held in Guwahati in February last year. The summit showcased the state’s expanding infrastructure, strategic connectivity, abundant natural resources, and business-friendly policy environment, helping generate substantial investment commitments and investor interest across sectors such as manufacturing, food processing, logistics, energy, tourism, and technology.
