Overview

The North East region currently occupies a pivotal position, poised to serve as a crucial land bridge not only between mainland India and the ASEAN countries but also as a facilitator for robust regional trade and investment activities with neighboring nations such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Assam, in particular, plays a pivotal role in this connectivity dynamic by serving as a vital corridor linking Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Significant trade activities between Bhutan and Bangladesh are already underway through the state of Assam. The ongoing development of a Multimodal logistics facility at Jogigopha is expected to emerge as a major transit corridor, facilitating trade between Bhutan and Bangladesh. A noteworthy infrastructure project involves the construction of a railway line connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan, with the eventual extension to include connections to Nepal and Bangladesh.

Given the enhanced levels of trade and collaboration between these nations and India, the improving landscape of trade and investment, the substantial ongoing investments in infrastructure, and the profound potential inherent in the region, it is opportune to deliberate on the feasibility of establishing an economic corridor that interconnects Assam, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and, by extension, the ASEAN countries.