European Union Delegation Visits Guwahati to Enhance Northeast Ties

A high-level delegation from the European Union, known as "Team Europe," has arrived in Guwahati for a two-day visit aimed at enhancing economic and strategic ties with the Northeast region. Led by EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin, the delegation will engage in various activities, including meetings with state officials and workshops focused on sustainable partnerships. The visit highlights Assam's growing role in fostering India-Europe cooperation and aims to establish long-term business relationships that benefit both regions. Key sectors of focus include clean energy, biotechnology, and eco-friendly industries, as part of the broader Blue Valleys initiative introduced during the 2026 EU-India Summit.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 8, 2026, 14:38 IST

EU Delegation Arrives in Guwahati

File image of EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan Hervé Delphin (Left) with Assam CM (Photo: @EUAmbIndia/X)

Guwahati, June 8: A prominent delegation from the European Union, known as "Team Europe," has landed in Guwahati for a two-day visit focused on enhancing economic and strategic ties with the Northeast region.

Led by Hervé Delphin, the EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan, the group includes ambassadors and senior officials from various EU member nations, along with business leaders from Europe.

The delegation arrived at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in the morning and was escorted by a convoy of 22 vehicles to the Radisson Blu Hotel, their base during the visit.

Upon arrival, Delphin expressed enthusiasm about the trip and highlighted Assam's increasing significance in fostering India-Europe relations. He remarked, "This is my third visit to Assam. As the slogan suggests, it's the 'Gateway to Goodness'. I truly appreciate this place and am eager to meet the Chief Minister."

The delegation will be in Guwahati until June 9, engaging in various activities aimed at strengthening collaboration between Europe and the eight northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

A significant aspect of the visit will be a meeting with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Additionally, the delegation will take part in the workshop titled "Blue Valleys: Building Ecosystems and Value Chains between India and Europe" on June 9.

This industrial hub will concentrate on sectors such as fragrances, flavors, AYUSH products, and food processing, while fostering innovation, research, sustainable manufacturing, and business partnerships through a public-private-people partnership (4P) model.

The cluster aims to serve as a link between Europe, Northeast India, and Bhutan, forming part of the larger Blue Valleys initiative introduced during the 2026 EU-India Summit.

This initiative is designed to bolster industrial clusters, MSME connections, and sector-specific value chains between the EU and India, promoting environmentally sustainable economic development.

Key sectors highlighted under this initiative include clean energy, natural ingredients, bamboo-based industries, eco-friendly textiles, biotechnology, wellness, and smart manufacturing.

Delphin emphasized the region's potential, stating that Northeast India, with Assam at its center, is rich in resources, has a skilled workforce, and is among the fastest-growing economies in the country.

"Through initiatives like Blue Valleys, we are not merely discussing cooperation; we are establishing genuine, long-term business partnerships that will foster growth for both the EU and India," he noted.

Simultaneously, a business delegation led by the Federation of European Businesses in India (FEBI) will engage with state government officials to explore trade, investment, and industrial collaboration opportunities.

This event, organized by the Assam government, aims to connect European and Indian businesses to identify partnerships in sustainable value chains, innovation-driven industries, and manufacturing.

Delphin remarked that while a broader framework for enhancing EU-India relations has been established at the summit level, its success hinges on effective implementation at the state level, where Assam is emerging as a vital partner.