India's longest-ever bridge was inaugurated on Friday, linking the country's north-east to Arunachal Pradesh, a territory claimed by China.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking three years in power, inaugurated the country's longest bridge that spans the vast Brahmaputra River in the northeastern state of Assam.
The 9.15 km (5.7 mile) Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, strong enough to carry a 60-ton battle tank, will reduce travel times by around five hours from Assam to the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh whose territory is partly claimed by China.
"The inauguration of the bridge marks the end of a long wait for the people of this area," Modi's office quoted him as saying in a speech, adding the bridge "opens the door for economic development on a big scale".
Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party came to power on May 26, 2014, after a landslide victory on promises of boosting economic growth, curbing corruption and creating jobs. He remains popular - his party swept Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, in a recent state election and looks on track to win re-election in 2019.
The main opposition Indian National Congress has attacked the Modi government, saying it has failed to live up to its promises, with India seeing 'jobless growth' and an agrarian crisis.
The 66-year-old prime minister has made upgrading India's infrastructure a priority, also setting up a ministry to develop India's remote northeast beyond the so-called Chicken's Neck - a narrow strip of territory around Bangladesh.
"This bridge will open the doors for economic development of India's north-east on a big scale. Good connectivity will also link the region with the economy of South-East Asia," Modi told a public rally at the site, named after Assamese singer-poet Bhupen Hazarika.
Modi's trip to Assam, during which he will deliver a public address later in the day, rounded off a week of festivities and briefings to highlight his government's achievements. Modi is expected to launch more infrastructure projects in Assam later on Friday, and he embarks on a European tour next week.
China claims Arunachal Pradesh is part of southern Tibet and thus Chinese territory. It has protested India's decision to allow Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to visit the region and developing infrastructure there.
Media reports said the bridge will help India's military forces access the border with China, adding that it is designed to facilitate the movement of 60-tonne battle tanks.
Frontier disputes between the Asian giants are a legacy of a border war in 1962 and have not been resolved despite numerous rounds of talks.
