Speaking to the press in New Delhi on Wednesday, Sarma said Assam has several scenic destinations that could be developed to attract more tourists and create greater opportunities for people working in the tourism sector.

"Shillong was our capital once, and our people love to visit Shillong. I feel that gradually, for tourists, Diphu, Haflong and Umrangso, these places are very beautiful. We need to develop these places," he said, urging those in the tourism sector to promote Assam's attractions.

Sarma also said discussions had been held in New Delhi on the proposed airports at Umrangso and Majuli.

"I feel that under my regime, these two airports will be completed, and slowly, in terms of tourism, Umrangso will be able to give competition to Shillong," he said.

His remarks came amid heightened tensions between the neighbouring states following incidents involving Assam-registered vehicles and protests in Meghalaya.

The two governments had earlier agreed on measures to facilitate the safe movement of people and vehicles between the states.

Referring to the tensions, Sarma said there were some people in Meghalaya who did not want visitors from Assam to travel to the state.

"I spoke to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, and we gave responsibility to Minister Atul Bora regarding the incident. Now the problem has been solved. But we have to accept that some people in Meghalaya don't like people from Assam going there," he said.

Sarma also named journalist and columnist Patricia Mukhim while discussing the issue, saying, "Intellectuals like Patricia Mukhim, whom people from Assam respect, write against Assam tourists, which incites people."

At the same time, he acknowledged that there were people in Meghalaya who welcomed visitors from Assam.

"So regarding this, I think there are two types of people in Meghalaya - one like Mukhim and, on the other hand, people who love Assam. So there is a contradiction, which is why sometimes tensions erupt," he said.