Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on September 17, 2026, with political leaders and public figures extending birthday greetings across the country. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also congratulated Modi and highlighted what he described as the Prime Minister’s role in Assam’s development.
Sarma said Modi had given Assam greater importance in India’s growth story since 2014. He pointed to infrastructure development, cultural recognition and the state’s growing role as a gateway to the Northeast.
The Assam Chief Minister shared his message through a series of posts on X. He described Modi’s public life as spanning 25 years, first as Gujarat’s head of government and later as Prime Minister of India.
Himanta Highlights Assam’s Development
Sarma credited Modi with placing greater emphasis on Assam’s development over the past decade. He said the state had gained a renewed position within India’s wider economic and infrastructure plans.
According to Sarma, the Centre’s focus on Assam has included connectivity, infrastructure, economic development and the promotion of the state’s cultural heritage. He also described Assam as a potential gateway connecting the Northeast with the rest of India and neighbouring regions.
Sarma’s comments came as part of his birthday message for Modi. His remarks focused on projects and developments that he associated with the Centre’s policies and investment in Assam.
Infrastructure Projects Take Centre Stage
The Chief Minister highlighted several major infrastructure projects while discussing Assam’s development. These included the Bogibeel Bridge, the Moran Emergency Landing Facility, the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu and the expansion of Guwahati airport.
Sarma said these projects have improved connectivity within Assam and reduced travel distances between different parts of the state.
The Bogibeel Bridge, for example, has strengthened connectivity across the Brahmaputra and serves both road and rail traffic. Other bridges and transport projects have also formed part of Assam’s wider infrastructure expansion.
The Chief Minister used these developments to illustrate the changes he associates with the state’s recent growth.
Assam’s Role in Northeast Connectivity
Sarma also highlighted Assam’s geographical importance for the Northeast. The state serves as a major transport and economic hub for several northeastern states.
Improved highways, bridges, airports and other infrastructure can support the movement of people and goods across the region. The Centre and state government have increasingly presented connectivity as an important part of Northeast development.
Sarma said Modi had viewed Assam not only through its existing potential but also as a gateway to the wider Northeast and beyond.
This emphasis on connectivity has featured prominently in discussions about the region’s economic integration.
Cultural Heritage Gets Greater Attention
Sarma also referred to Assam’s cultural heritage in his birthday message. He highlighted the Gamosa, Bihu and Moidams as examples of Assam’s traditions receiving greater national and international attention.
The Moidams, the mound-burial sites associated with the Tai-Ahom dynasty, hold particular cultural significance for Assam. UNESCO inscribed the Moidams on the World Heritage List in 2024.
Sarma said Modi had helped bring elements of Assam’s cultural identity into national conversations. He specifically referred to the Prime Minister’s public association with Assamese traditions and symbols.
The Chief Minister connected cultural recognition with his broader description of Assam’s changing position within India.
Focus on Farmers, Women and Youth
Sarma also said Modi’s approach to Assam had focused on different sections of society. He mentioned farmers, tea-garden communities, tribal groups, women and young people.
Assam has a large agricultural and tea-producing economy. Tea-garden communities also form an important part of the state’s social and economic landscape.
Government programmes covering agriculture, welfare, infrastructure and employment have targeted different groups across the state. The Centre and Assam government have also promoted schemes related to entrepreneurship, skills and social welfare.
Sarma included these groups in his assessment of the changes taking place in Assam.
Development and Cooperative Federalism
Modi’s birthday message also coincided with a wider discussion on Centre-state relations. On September 17, the Prime Minister shared an article written by Sarma about cooperative federalism.
According to the Press Information Bureau, Sarma’s article discussed how dialogue, trust and development have shaped Centre-state relations over the past decade. Modi described the article as a reflection on the progress made through greater cooperation between the Union and state governments.
The article placed development within the broader framework of cooperation between different levels of government.
For Assam, the relationship between the state and Centre has remained important for infrastructure investment, welfare schemes and large development projects.
Assam’s Economic Growth
Recent official statements have also highlighted Assam’s economic expansion. In September, Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan said Assam had emerged as one of the fastest-growing state economies in recent years.
During his visit to the state, the Vice-President highlighted investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, employment and disaster management.
Earlier in 2026, the Centre also highlighted growth in Assam’s healthcare infrastructure. A March PIB release said the number of medical colleges in the state had increased from six to 24 over the previous decade, while MBBS seats had risen from 726 to 1,825.
These figures form part of the broader development narrative surrounding Assam.
More Infrastructure Projects in the Pipeline
Assam’s government is continuing to plan major infrastructure investments. In September, Sarma announced plans under the Viksit Assam 2047 initiative.
The proposed investment package is worth around ₹50,000 crore and covers schools, colleges, universities, Anganwadi centres, power lines, stadiums and government infrastructure.
The state government has also discussed district-level land banks to support industrial investment. Sarma said Assam needs more land reserves to facilitate new industrial projects and attract investment.
These plans indicate that infrastructure remains a major part of the state’s development agenda.
Modi’s Birthday Message Highlights Assam Connection
Prime Minister Modi’s 76th birthday brought renewed attention to his relationship with Assam and the Northeast. Sarma used the occasion to highlight infrastructure, connectivity, cultural heritage and economic development in the state.
His message presented these developments as part of a broader transformation in Assam. The Chief Minister specifically linked several major projects to the Centre’s increased attention to the state since 2014.
At the same time, Assam continues to face challenges related to employment, education, infrastructure gaps and regional disparities. The state government has identified several of these areas as priorities for future development.
Assam’s Growth Story Continues
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s birthday message for Narendra Modi focused strongly on Assam’s changing development landscape. From major bridges and airport expansion to cultural promotion and new investment plans, the Chief Minister highlighted several areas where he sees progress.
The state is now pursuing further infrastructure development through initiatives such as Viksit Assam 2047. At the same time, the Centre continues to emphasise Assam’s role as an important gateway to the Northeast.
As Modi enters his 77th year, the political message from Assam has centred on the relationship between national leadership, Centre-state cooperation and the state’s development agenda. Sarma’s remarks placed Assam’s infrastructure growth and cultural visibility at the heart of his assessment of Modi’s contribution to the state.