Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is actively pursuing the establishment of a Defence Corridor in the state, seeking support from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. During a recent meeting in New Delhi, Sarma emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, highlighting its potential to significantly enhance the operational readiness of India's armed forces along the Eastern Frontier.
The proposed Defence Corridor aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' vision, aiming to boost local manufacturing, reduce dependence on imports, and encourage exports of defence-related products. Furthermore, it is expected to generate substantial economic opportunities across the North Eastern region, particularly in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, spurring economic growth and creating employment avenues.
Defence Minister Singh has assured the Chief Minister that the Ministry of Defence is actively considering the proposal. This initiative also aligns with Assam's newly introduced Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Policy 2025, which aims to position the state as a major hub for aerospace and defence production by leveraging Assam's strategic location, proximity to Southeast Asia, and existing infrastructure to attract investment.
Key incentives under the policy include capital subsidies, SGST reimbursement, transport subsidies, production-linked support, and initiatives to promote skill development. Targeted sectors include aircraft manufacturing, defence equipment, avionics, maintenance and repair services, simulation technologies, and R&D. Assam's push supports the Ministry of Defence's national objective of achieving a $26 billion turnover in aerospace and defence manufacturing by 2025, including $5 billion in exports. The state is also pursuing partnerships with domestic and international defence manufacturers, startups, and technology firms.
This is not the first time that Sarma has advocated for a defence corridor in Assam. He met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the past to discuss the establishment of such a corridor in the northeastern state. Sarma has described the talks as “very positive”. He also revealed that they explored the possibility of organising a Defence Conclave in Assam, which could potentially attract investors and showcase the state's capabilities in the sector.
If successful, the Defence Corridor could position Assam as a strategic player in India's defence industry, aligning with the country's push for self-reliance in military equipment production. At present, India has established two Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to promote indigenous production of defence and aerospace-related items and reduce dependence on imports.
