External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, accompanied by ambassadors and heads of missions from 45 countries, embarked on an elephant safari in the renowned Kaziranga National Park on Monday.
The visit comes ahead of the Advantage Assam summit, which is scheduled to commence in Guwahati on 25 February.
Expressing satisfaction over the growing number of visitors, Jaishankar remarked, "I am very happy to see more tourists growing. We are here for Advantage Assam. We are going to Guwahati after this. We want to, you know, give Assam and the northeastern states a higher profile—get more tourists, international interest, more investors. So, it is a very good direction, and to see this early morning is a great start to the day."
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses and boasts a rich biodiversity.
Responding to queries from the media regarding the increasing tourist influx, Jaishankar stated, "Yes, I know. They were telling me that we have already crossed three lakh visitors. It is a good trend. Even the Prime Minister says we should visit every state because we have an abundance of both natural and creative tourism."
Also read: Assam govt burns rhino horns to achieve zero poaching goal
A delegate from Timor-Leste described the experience as extraordinary, saying, "It was a privilege to visit this Kaziranga park, seeing wild animals like elephants, rhinos, and tigers. I think it is one of the potentials your state of Assam, India, can offer to the world. By this visit, I am really enjoying it. What can I learn from nature? The wild animals teach us about peace. How can a rhino live alongside an elephant? Both of them are aggressive, yet they coexist."
Another diplomat expressed gratitude to Indian authorities, stating, "I thank the Minister of External Affairs and the Assam authorities for offering us something that will remain a lifelong memory from India. We are based in New Delhi, but having the opportunity to see Assam’s natural beauty and immerse ourselves in it is a privilege. I wish the animals here a long life."
The Advantage Assam initiative, spearheaded by the Government of Assam, serves as the state’s most ambitious investment promotion and facilitation campaign.
Long celebrated for its sprawling tea gardens and petroleum reserves, Assam is now expanding into diverse sectors, including agriculture, food processing, crafts, tourism, and information technology.
Also read: Kaziranga National Park hits 20-year visitor high
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