Executive Overview :Dibrugarh, situated in Upper Assam, is more than just a commercial town; it's an emerging geopolitical anchor in India's northeastern frontier. With its colonial legacy as an energy hub, historical links to World War II military logistics, proximity to disputed international borders, and centrality to resource geopolitics and insurgency dynamics, Dibrugarh is well-positioned to evolve into Assam's second capital. This proposition is not merely administrative; it's strategic statecraft aimed at reconfiguring India's civil-military integration, subnational power balance, and regional diplomacy under the framework of India's Act East policy and internal federal recalibration.

I. Historical and Military Foundations: WWII to Contemporary Strategy

Dibrugarh, alongside Ledo and Margherita, formed a critical logistics zone for the Allied Forces during World War II. The construction of the Stillwell Road (Ledo–Myitkyina–Kunming) connected India to China via Burma (Myanmar). US-led Air Force supply depots and forward base construction marked Dibrugarh as a strategic military node. The region became an early experiment in multinational military infrastructure development, influencing post-colonial India's logistical layout in the Northeast.

II. Geoeconomic Relevance: Resources, Infrastructure, and Regional Integration

Dibrugarh's energy geopolitics are significant, with Digboi (Asia's first refinery), Duliajan (OIL HQ), and Moran fields constituting a substantial portion of India's onshore crude output. The region also supports thermal plants and fertilizer industries. Hydrological power is another critical aspect, with Dibrugarh lying at the confluence zone of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, an emerging front in hydro-diplomacy with China. The region acts as a gateway to Southeast Asia under the India–Myanmar–Thailand trilateral connectivity, with tea plantations contributing significantly to global export volumes and employing marginalized tea tribes.

III. Geostrategic and Geopolitical Axes

Dibrugarh's proximity to Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims in entirety, makes it a critical location for Indian Army deployment. The region enables coordinated counterinsurgency across Nagaland, Arunachal, and Upper Myanmar. Surveillance over Brahmaputra basin developments in Tibet, where China is rapidly building hydro-projects, is another crucial aspect. Dibrugarh embodies the concept of a "borderland capital," where states establish administrative hubs to stabilize peripheries and resist foreign influence.

IV. Insurgency, Counterterrorism, and Security Dimensions

ULFA (I), under Paresh Baruah, retains operational capability through Myanmar-based camps and local extortion in Upper Assam. Its nexus with other Northeast rebel groups and possible external linkages makes Dibrugarh a counterinsurgency nerve center. The region showcases a "gray zone conflict space," where state sovereignty, ethnic identity, and cross-border insurgency create overlapping security dilemmas.

V. Japan's Investment and India's Strategic Partnership

JICA's funding has played a significant role in promoting economic cooperation between India and Japan. This partnership has far-reaching implications for regional stability and economic growth.