Assam Tea Set for Major Boost with India-EU Free Trade Agreement
Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Friday that Assam stands to gain the most from the recently finalized India-European Union Free Trade Agreement. Speaking at a rally in Dibrugarh, Shah emphasized that this landmark deal will ensure Assam tea reaches 27 European countries with zero tariffs, marking a transformative moment for the state's iconic export industry.
Opening European Markets for Assam Tea
"The tea from this region will now reach 27 countries in Europe with zero tariff, finding its way into the morning cup of Europeans," Shah announced at the Khanikar Parade Ground in Dibrugarh. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating this expansive new market opportunity for Assam tea, which already commands approximately one-third of the global tea market.
"From Paris to Berlin, Modi Ji's vision has opened doors for Assam tea," Shah proclaimed. "Assam tea will now travel across Europe without barriers, strengthening both the state's economy and India's global identity."
Historic Trade Agreement Creates Vast Market
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement, described by leaders as the "mother of all deals," was sealed on Tuesday, creating an integrated market encompassing approximately two billion people. This comprehensive agreement represents one of the most significant trade partnerships in recent history, with far-reaching implications for multiple sectors across both regions.
Political Significance in Tea Heartland
Shah's announcement carries particular political weight as it comes ahead of assembly elections in Assam. The home minister specifically addressed the tea tribe community concentrated in upper Assam around Dibrugarh district, praising garden workers for establishing Assam and India as one of the world's leading tea exporters.
"Dibrugarh is known as the tea capital and garden workers have ensured that the aroma of Assam tea reaches the world," Shah stated. "The state is recognised globally for its tea, and these workers have strengthened Assam's economy while maintaining tea as a leading export commodity."
Contrasting Approaches to Tea Worker Welfare
Shah highlighted recent reforms implemented by the state government, noting that "the chief minister has amended the law to ensure that tea garden workers get ownership rights of land." He contrasted this with what he described as Congress's historical neglect of tea garden workers' welfare.
The home minister went further to accuse the Congress party of providing a "toolkit to defame Assam and its tea," drawing a sharp distinction between the current government's support for the industry and what he portrayed as opposition attempts to undermine it.
Electoral Implications in Tea-Growing Regions
Tea garden workers constitute a substantial electorate in upper Assam constituencies, areas once considered Congress strongholds but increasingly aligning with the BJP since 2014. With the EU-India trade pact now promising tariff-free access to European markets, the BJP is strategically positioning Assam tea as both an economic success story and a political symbol in the lead-up to the elections.
This development represents more than just an economic opportunity—it symbolizes the convergence of trade policy, regional development, and electoral politics in one of India's most culturally and economically significant states.
