First Assam CM at WEF: Sarma reaches Switzerland, begins global outreach

Guwahati, Jan 19: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived in Switzerland on Monday to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, marking a milestone moment for Assam’s global outreach.

Sarma was accorded a warm reception at Zurich airport by members of the Indian diaspora. Acknowledging the gesture, the Chief Minister said the support and affection of overseas Indians strengthened his resolve to present India’s and Assam’s growth story on the global stage.

“Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by our Pravasi Bharatiya community at Zurich Airport. Their blessings and affection drive our effort to showcase the best of Bharat in the global arena under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Sarma wrote on his official social media account.

Soon after his arrival, the Chief Minister met several global and national leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

Among those he interacted with were Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and World Bank President Ajay Banga.

Describing his meeting with the Singapore President, Sarma said the interaction was marked by warmth and meaningful exchange.

“Honoured to have met the President of Singapore, H.E. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in Zurich on the sidelines of the WEF 2026 Summit. As always, his warm gesture and greetings for Bharat stirred a lively conversation,” he said in a post.

During the five-day WEF Annual Meeting, which begins in Davos on Monday, Sarma will represent Assam before global industrialists, economists, multinational company leaders and heads of international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation.

He is expected to highlight Assam’s governance reforms, industrial growth roadmap and technology-driven development initiatives aimed at accelerating the State’s economic transformation.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu congratulated Sarma for becoming the first Chief Minister from Assam to attend the WEF Annual Meeting in Switzerland.

“Met the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, in Zurich. He has made history by becoming the first Chief Minister from Assam to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Switzerland. I congratulate him and wish him success,” Naidu said in a social media post.

India has sent a strong delegation to the WEF this year, with global leaders gathering under the theme “a spirit of dialogue”.

The Indian contingent includes four Union ministers, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi and K. Rammohan Naidu, along with six chief ministers: Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra, Naidu of Andhra Pradesh, Sarma of Assam, Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh, A. Revanth Reddy of Telangana and Hemant Soren of Jharkhand.

India’s corporate presence at Davos is also substantial, with more than 100 chief executive officers (CEOs) participating, reinforcing the country’s push to engage global stakeholders and investors at the highest level.

With inputs from PTI