Guwahati: US Ambassador to India and special envoy to South and Central Asia Sergio Gor and Singapore High Commissioner to India Simon Wong on Tuesday congratulated Himanta Biswa Sarma after he was sworn in as Assam chief minister for a second consecutive term, with both envoys pointing to expanded cooperation with the state.
US Envoy Attends Ceremony
Gor attended the swearing-in ceremony in Guwahati, held in the presence of high-profile dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Posting a photograph with Sarma on social media platform X, Gor wrote: “Honored to have been invited to Guwahati today to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The United States and Assam have many commercial ties, and with the CM’s leadership we will identify many more win-win scenarios for both of our nations!”
Expanding US-Assam Commercial Ties
Commercial ties between Assam and the United States have expanded across multiple sectors including trade, agriculture, energy, tourism, and investment promotion. Tea exports remain a key traditional link between the two regions. Assam Tea continues to find buyers in international markets, particularly the United States. Business events held in New York in 2025 showcased Assam tea and successfully connected Indian producers with American buyers, further strengthening this economic relationship.
Singapore High Commissioner Extends Greetings
Singapore’s High Commissioner Simon Wong also extended greetings to Sarma on X. “Big congratulations to our dear friend #himantabiswa. Your new term as chief minister will no doubt propel Assam to greater heights. As your trusted friend, we will stand by Assam as always,” Wong posted. Assam’s engagement with Singapore has been widening beyond trade into a more structured strategic, economic, and people-to-people partnership. The state is positioning itself as a gateway between India and Southeast Asia.
Previous Meetings and MoUs
Wong had met Sarma on February 24, 2025, and posted: “Team Singapore was honored to meet Assam’s hyper-energetic Hon’ble CM @himantabiswa close to midnight yesterday. Singapore stands ready to support his vision for Assam and the greater North East region.” In January 2026, Sarma met Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum to discuss avenues for expanding cooperation. The two sides have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in nursing skills development and training programs aimed at enhancing employability opportunities for skilled workers in Singapore.
