Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, reaffirming his government’s commitment to transforming the Northeast into a powerhouse of India’s economic, strategic, and cultural revival. With a strong focus on infrastructure, investment, innovation, and inclusion, the summit marked a critical turning point in India’s development trajectory.
He hailed the region as India’s most diverse and dynamic, describing it as a unique convergence of nature, culture, human capital, and untapped industrial potential. The event drew attention from global investors, domestic enterprises, and regional stakeholders, all looking to harness the Northeast’s rising momentum.
A New Development Paradigm for the Northeast
Addressing a packed audience of ministers, investors, and state leaders, PM Modi emphasized that the Northeast is no longer India’s “frontier region” but a “front-runner of growth.” Over the past decade, the government has moved from “Look East” to “Act East,” translating strategic intent into action on the ground.
“The Northeast is a land of opportunity. It represents the convergence of tradition and technology, ecology and economy, nature and enterprise,” said the Prime Minister.
The PM also invoked the Ashtalakshmi vision—a symbolic term representing the eight Northeastern states—as the catalysts of Viksit Bharat, or Developed India.
Massive Infrastructure Push: Roads, Rails, and Beyond
In a major policy address, the Prime Minister unveiled data on infrastructure investments that have reshaped the region. Over ₹4 lakh crore has been poured into the Northeast in the last ten years, creating a robust base for industrial and social development.
Key highlights include:
- Over 11,000 km of national highways built or upgraded
- New railway lines connecting remote districts with trade hubs
- Airports doubled in number, improving connectivity for tourists and investors
- Operationalization of the Sela Tunnel, improving access to Tawang
- Commissioning of the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge, India’s longest river bridge
- Completion of the Northeast Gas Grid (1,600 km) linking all states to clean fuel
- Expansion of mobile tower networks and digital fiber optics
Strategic Trade Corridor: ASEAN, Myanmar, and Beyond
The summit also showcased how the Northeast is evolving into India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, with ongoing projects like:
- India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway
- Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project (linking Kolkata Port with Sittwe in Myanmar via Mizoram)
- New Land Custom Stations in Meghalaya and Mizoram
- Multi-modal hubs in Guwahati, Agartala, and Imphal
PM Modi emphasized that the ₹125 billion trade volume with ASEAN is expected to surpass $200 billion, with the Northeast becoming a strategic link in regional value chains.
Tourism, Culture, and Wellness Economy
PM Modi described the Northeast as a complete tourism destination that combines natural beauty, spiritual heritage, wellness, and adventure.
“Whether it’s cultural tourism, eco-tourism, or wellness tourism, the Northeast offers a complete package,” he said.
Thanks to peace agreements and improved law and order, the region has seen:
- Tourist footfalls double in the past five years
- Over 5,000 new homestays established in rural areas
- Surge in community-based tourism, local crafts, and festivals
The Heal in India initiative will also integrate Northeast as a hub for holistic health, yoga, and Ayurveda-based retreats, tapping into the global wellness economy.
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Peace, Security, and Prosperity
A decade ago, the Northeast was marred by insurgency, blockades, and instability. PM Modi emphasized that the government has pursued a zero-tolerance policy against violence and separatism, resulting in:
- Signing of multiple peace accords
- Over 10,000 former insurgents surrendering arms
- Dismantling of militant camps across several states
The shift toward peace has laid the foundation for entrepreneurship, foreign investment, and infrastructure development, bringing youth into the mainstream economy.
Education, Skills, and Youth Power
Recognizing the region’s demographic dividend, the government has invested ₹21,000 crore in the education and skilling ecosystem, including:
- 800 new government schools across tribal districts
- 9 medical colleges and India’s first AIIMS in the region
- 2 IIITs, a mass communication campus in Mizoram, and nearly 200 skill centers
- India’s first Sports University, and over 250 Khelo India Centers
These investments are producing a new generation of digital entrepreneurs, sports achievers, medical professionals, and startup founders who are leading innovation from within the region.
Agriculture and Organic Branding for the World
PM Modi reasserted his goal of placing Indian organic brands on every global dining table, and the Northeast is central to that ambition.
The region now leads India in:
- Certified organic production
- High-value crops like ginger, turmeric, pineapples, and Assam tea
- Community-based farming cooperatives
- Rising agri-tech startups focused on export packaging, cold chains, and processing
He encouraged stakeholders to invest in mega food parks, cold storages, and quality testing labs, while also pushing for expansion under the Oil Palm Mission, tailored to Northeast’s agro-climatic advantage.
Semiconductors and Renewable Energy
In a landmark announcement, PM Modi confirmed that the first semiconductor chip designed and produced in Northeast India will launch this year—a signal of India’s growing self-reliance in high-tech manufacturing.
He added:
- Thousands of crores invested in solar and hydropower across all 8 states
- Focus on manufacturing of solar modules, storage units, and research centers
- Assam’s pivotal role in the semiconductor supply chain
This aligns with India’s goal to become a semiconductor and green energy hub, with the Northeast at the frontline of this mission.
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Conclusion: A Movement, Not Just a Summit
PM Modi concluded the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 with a call to action:
“This is not just an event—it is a movement. Let the Northeast be the symbol of India’s rise. Let us transform Ashtalakshmi into a global growth engine for Viksit Bharat.”
He urged investors to move quickly, promising fast-track clearances, improved ease of doing business, and a proactive policy environment in collaboration with state governments.