EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin, speaking at a workshop in Assam on 9 June 2026, called for greater European investment in the northeastern state and launched a Blue Valley cluster on flavours, fragrances and AYUSH, framing the initiative as a flagship partnership under the EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda agreed at the January 2026 summit.
Delphin noted that 60% of EU businesses in India are concentrated in Maharashtra and Karnataka, which face growing constraints in space, energy and water, while Assam offers abundant resources and opportunities. He pointed to the landmark EU-India Free Trade Agreement, described as the 'mother of all deals', which will eliminate or reduce duties on over 99% of Indian goods exports and grant access for almost 97% of EU exports, as a massive enabler for companies.
the ambitious EU-India joint agenda towards 2030, Assam's potential as a gateway to South and Southeast Asia aligned with the EU's Global Gateway strategy, and the Blue Valley concept aimed at creating sustainable value chains. He announced that the EU is putting in place a dedicated instrument to facilitate European private investments in India and the Northeast, helping identify and structure bankable opportunities.
Delphin visited the under-construction TATA semiconductor facility in Jagiroad, which will produce 48 million chips daily, calling it a magnet for an entire tech ecosystem. He also praised Assam's commitment to green growth and biodiversity, noting that EU cooperation covers water management, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, and low-carbon industrial development.
Building ecosystems and value chains between India and Europe', builds on the EU-India Northeast Global Gateway Connectivity Conference held in Shillong three years ago. Delphin's repeated visits to Assam, including attending the Advantage Assam Summit in February 2025, underscore the EU's commitment to the region.
European businesses gain a new investment destination with abundant resources and government support, but face challenges of unfamiliarity and infrastructure gaps. Assam benefits from potential FDI, technology transfer, and job creation, but must ensure sustainable management of natural resources. Indian companies in flavours, fragrances and AYUSH sectors gain access to European markets and standards, but may face competition from EU firms. The EU strengthens its strategic partnership with India, advancing its Global Gateway connectivity strategy, but risks overpromising if investment facilitation instruments are slow to materialize.
The Blue Valley cluster launch is expected to be followed by concrete investment projects and further EU-Assam cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Agenda.