The Government of Assam and the Delegation of the European Union to India on Tuesday launched the Blue Valley Cluster in Guwahati, a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between Europe and Northeast India in the sectors of flavours, fragrances and AYUSH, while promoting investment, innovation and industrial collaboration.
The initiative was launched in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George, Belgium’s Ambassador to India Didier Vanderhasselt and representatives of the Federation of European Business in India (FEBI).
The launch marks a significant step in translating the broader India-EU partnership into practical cooperation at the regional level. Led by the Assam government, the Blue Valley Cluster aligns with the EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda adopted during the January 2026 India-EU Summit and forms part of the wider Blue Valleys initiative.
According to a joint statement, the project is expected to serve as a catalyst for research, innovation, investment and industrial cooperation between European and Indian companies. It seeks to build sustainable value chains by connecting local resources, entrepreneurship and innovation with global markets.
Highlighting Assam’s growing importance, the statement described the state as one of India’s fastest-growing economies and the gateway to the Northeast. With its rich biodiversity, strategic connectivity and expanding industrial ecosystem, Assam is increasingly emerging as a hub for international partnerships and innovation-driven development.
As part of the programme, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a bilateral meeting with Ambassador Hervé Delphin in the presence of MEA Secretary Sibi George. The Chief Minister also hosted a roundtable luncheon with members of FEBI and the European delegation, where discussions focused on investment opportunities, industrial collaboration, technology partnerships, skill development and strengthening business-to-business engagement between Assam and Europe.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Delphin said Assam’s natural resources, skilled workforce and commitment to sustainable innovation make it an attractive destination for international investors. He noted that the Blue Valleys initiative would act as a bridge connecting European and Indian enterprises while promoting environmental sustainability and community development.
Delphin also highlighted ongoing EU-supported projects in Assam, including CITIS 2.0 in Guwahati and the Barak River Basin Management Action Plan, expressing confidence that stronger industrial and investment cooperation would benefit the entire Northeast region.
Chief Minister Sarma described the partnership as a reflection of a shared vision for building a resilient, sustainable and innovation-driven economy. He identified semiconductors and electronics, defence and aviation, tea, agarwood, organic foods, natural fragrances and flavours, and AYUSH-based wellness products as sectors with immense potential for collaboration.
He said the Blue Valleys platform aims to connect farmers, women-led self-help groups, startups, researchers and industries with international value chains, creating opportunities for technology transfer, quality employment and sustainable prosperity across Assam and the Northeast.
During their visit, members of the European delegation also toured the Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Private Limited (TSAT) facility at Jagiroad, gaining first-hand insight into Assam’s emerging role in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced technology industries.
In another significant development, the Assam Industrial Development Corporation Limited (AIDC) and the Federation of European Businesses in India (FEBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen business relations between Assam and Europe.
The agreement seeks to promote investment awareness, facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government partnerships, and encourage knowledge exchange between European and Assamese enterprises.
The Assam government also invited European companies and institutions to invest in the state, highlighting its investor-friendly policies, industrial infrastructure, availability of land, streamlined approval processes, technology partnerships and skill development initiatives.
Officials said the Blue Valley Cluster pilot project is expected to establish a new model of sustainable industrial cooperation by linking local biodiversity, innovation and enterprise with international value chains and global markets. The initiative aims to create greater opportunities for farmers, women, youth, entrepreneurs and MSMEs while promoting employment generation, skill development, trade expansion and long-term economic growth.
The European delegation stated that the visit underscored the vast potential for deeper Assam-Europe cooperation through structured business engagement, sector-specific dialogue, private investment promotion and joint innovation projects, paving the way for stronger economic ties and sustainable development in the years ahead.