Dibrugarh : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the proposed EU-India free trade agreement would allow Assam tea to enter European markets with zero tariff, giving a major boost to the state’s tea industry and exports.

Addressing a public rally at the Khanikar Parade Ground in Dibrugarh, Shah described the proposed agreement as a significant opportunity for Assam’s garden economy and tea workers. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already held engagements with key European nations, including France and Germany, and negotiations are underway with other members of the European Union to strengthen trade ties.

“Once the EU-India trade agreement is finalised, Assam tea will reach Europe without any tariff. This will enhance its global reach and competitiveness and benefit tea growers as well as workers,” Shah said.

Highlighting India’s evolving foreign policy, the Home Minister said the European Union has emerged as a trusted trade partner for India, sharing a common vision of a balanced and cooperative global order. He added that the trade pact would not only help exporters but also strengthen India’s strategic and economic standing on the global stage.

Shah paid tribute to Assam’s tea garden workers, crediting them with giving the state a distinct identity and contributing to India’s reputation as one of the world’s leading tea producers. “Dibrugarh is known as the tea capital. It is because of the hard work of garden workers that the aroma of Assam tea has reached every corner of the world,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the Congress, Shah claimed the BJP-led government has done more for the welfare of tea garden workers than previous regimes. He said the Centre has amended the Tea Act to ensure better rights and ownership benefits for garden workers, strengthening their economic security.

With Assam heading towards Assembly elections next year, Shah reiterated the BJP’s commitment to empowering tea garden communities and positioning the state as a key export hub. Tea garden workers form a politically significant voting bloc in Upper Assam, particularly in districts such as Dibrugarh.

The Home Minister’s remarks came during his Assam visit aimed at strengthening the party’s organisational base and highlighting the Centre’s development and trade initiatives ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally