Guwahati/New Delhi, Feb 24 (UNI) Heads of missions and ambassadors of 45 countries along with their spouses joined External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for an elephant safari in Assam’s famed Kaziranga National Park, where they saw the one-horned rhino, water buffalo and other animals.
The EAM, who is in Assam for the Advantage Assam event, went for an early morning elephant safari around the Kaziranga national park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“It was a great experience. We saw water buffalos, rhinos, deer -- all from close quarters. We want to get more international interest in the Northeast states, we want to attract more tourists, and more investors,” the EAM told reporters.
The MEA spokesperson said on X:
“Envoys experience incredible India’s cultural & ecological diversity.
“Heads of Mission, spouses of HoMs & diplomats of 60 countries visited the iconic Sarnath archaeological site and the mesmerising @kaziranga_ National Park. They were accompanied by EAM @DrSJaishankar.”
The EAM posted on X:
“An early morning safari @kaziranga_ National Park, along with Ambassadors.
“Assam’s natural wildlife scenes are indeed stunning and pristine.
“Next stop- Advantage Assam 2.0.”
The envoys are also set to watch a grand Jhumoir dance performance with 8,000 participants.
The delegation is to attend the Advantage Assam 2.0 investment and infrastructure summit, which is scheduled to commence on February 25.
On February 25, they will participate in the summit before departing later that night.
The delegation includes representatives from several nations, including Bangladesh, Malaysia, Germany, Italy, Israel, Singapore, Thailand, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Finland, Iceland, Cuba, Guinea, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Maldives, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Syria, and Sudan. Some heads of missions will directly join the summit on February 25.
A Bhutanese delegation led by Bhutan’s Agriculture Minister, Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, is also to be present at the summit, reinforcing India-Bhutan ties and recent efforts to enhance connectivity between Assam and Gelephu in Bhutan, a report said.
Several Union ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, will be part of various sessions at the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit.
Earlier, the envoys also visited Sarnath, in Uttar Pradesh.
UNI RN