GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the newly signed free trade agreement between India and the European Union would create significant growth opportunities for key sectors of the state’s economy, including tea, spices, handicrafts and minerals.

Reacting to the landmark India-EU free trade pact, which has been described as the “mother of all deals”, Sarma said the agreement is expected to accelerate economic development while deepening ties between two of the world’s largest economies. The pact was unveiled by the top leadership of India and the European Union as part of a broader push to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence and global governance.

“The Mother of All Trade Deals! The #IndiaEUTradeDeal will open up new opportunities of growth for various sectors and propel development in two of the biggest economies of the world,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X. He added that Assam stands to gain substantially from the agreement, particularly its traditional and resource-based industries.

According to Sarma, improved access to European markets is likely to boost exports from Assam, attract fresh investment and encourage greater value addition in sectors such as tea, spices and handicrafts, which form the backbone of the state’s rural economy.

In addition to the trade agreement, India and the 27-nation European Union bloc also signed two key pacts on security and defence cooperation, as well as the mobility of Indian talent to Europe. The two sides also rolled out a comprehensive strategic agenda for the next five years.

Overall, 13 agreements were finalised during the engagement, including the formal conclusion of negotiations on the free trade agreement, marking a major milestone in India-EU economic relations.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally