EMN
Dimapur, September 16
US Ambassador to India Richard Rahul Verma, accompanied by Consul General of USA, Kolkata Craig L. Hall called on Governor PB Acharya at Raj Bhavan Guwahati on September 1 and discussed on issues concerning socio-economic development of the region and building strategic partnership.
The Governor emphasized on three important sectors – education, electricity and agriculture. He also said that industries should be based on solar energy, hydro, coal and other natural resources which are in plenty in northeast as well as IT industries, cooperation, healthcare sectors can be a purposeful participation and partnership.
“India is one of the biggest democratic countries in the world and America and India have the best relations as democratic countries.” Insurgency, terrorism also came up in the discussion.
Governor said that the present Government at the Centre under the leadership of Modi has the political will to solve the difficult problem of insurgency without trust deficiency. “The recent peace agreement with NSCN-IM, the oldest insurgent group in the northeast is an honest beginning for permanent peace by the central government. The government as well as the people of Nagaland are fully confident that all the other Naga groups will understand the need of the hour and join to strengthen the peace efforts.”
Richard Verma was the first Indian origin American to become the ambassador of US to India and for the first time in the history of northeast India that the ambassador himself visited Assam.
Acharya welcomed the US Ambassador and other dignitaries with traditional ‘gamcha’, Naga stole and indian sweets. The governor also invited Verma to visit Nagaland.
According to a statement issued by Governor’s Secretariat, the ambassador also had meetings with the chief minister and his colleagues, media, chamber of commerce etc. during his visit to Assam. He assured that he will come back to northeast to experience the richness of its vibrant cultural life.
Being an Indian origin, Verma tasted Indian sweet dishes particularly – Rasgula, kalakand & namkin ‘Samosa’ with old grandmother’s nostalgic life, in the village of Punjab.
