Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday urged countries of the Asean grouping to open consulates in Guwahati to promote business and tourism.
"I request the Asean countries to open their consulates in Guwahati, " Sonowal said while addressing the ninth edition of the Delhi Dialogue here, the premier annual track 1. 5 event to discuss politico - security, economic and socio - cultural engagement between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
"This will help in promoting tourism and business of both Asean and the northeast, " he said.
He said that the northeast, a land of huge potentialities, can be a top investment destination for Asean nations, considering geographical proximity and cultural ties.
"The newly formed Act East Policy Affairs Department of Assam government will work towards mutual growth and development of the entire region, " Sonowal said referring to New Delhi's Act East Policy that has Asean as its heart.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Act East and creating the northeast as a new engine for India's growth "has given us a new direction".