PM Modi inaugurated the two-day Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, asserting that the Northeast—India’s most vibrant and diverse region—is now poised to become a central engine of national development. Describing the region as “Ashta Lakshmi”, he said it represents India’s eight forms of wealth, from bio-economy to energy, and from organic products to eco-tourism.
Northeast: Not Just a Direction, But a Vision
PM Modi emphasized the government’s “EAST” framework—Empower, Act, Strengthen, Transform—as the guiding policy for Eastern India and the Northeast. He recalled the transformational shift from a “Look East” approach to an aggressive “Act East” policy, observing that the region has evolved from being labeled a mere frontier to becoming a frontrunner in India’s development story. PM Modi applauded the synergy among ministries and state governments in creating an investment-ready environment.
Infrastructure Revolution Powers Growth
Highlighting the massive infrastructure push, PM Modi pointed to strategic projects such as the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge in Assam, over 11,000 km of new highways, expanded railway networks, increased airport facilities, and modern waterways along the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. He also underscored the Northeast Gas Grid, fiber expansion, mobile connectivity, and logistics hubs in Guwahati, Imphal, and Agartala as foundational pillars that underpin rapid industrial and trade growth.
Tapping Natural and Cultural Capital
PM Modi painted the Northeast as a powerhouse of diversity and opportunity. The region’s strengths include bamboo, tea, petroleum, bio-economy, organic farming, sports, skills training, eco-tourism, and energy. He placed special emphasis on organic products, asserting that global demand for Northeast-grown produce is rising. Modi also positioned the region as integral to India’s Heal in India and wellness diplomacy, citing its pristine ecology and cultural richness.
Investments Roll In
The summit yielded a landmark ₹4.3 lakh crore in investment interest, signaling strong investor confidence in the region. Major industry players like Reliance, Adani, and Vedanta made substantial commitments across sectors such as digital infrastructure, green energy, and regional development, underlining the Northeast’s growing appeal and strategic significance.
Skill Development and Youth Empowerment
Adding a human-capital dimension to economic progress, PM Modi launched a pilot apprenticeship program in Mizoram aimed at skilling over 26,000 youth. The initiative, supported by a stipend and focused on heritage-based skills and gender inclusion, reflects a broader goal of preparing a generation aligned with industry needs.
Modi also highlighted government investments in education and skill infrastructure: over 800 new schools, the region’s first AIIMS, several medical colleges and IIITs, and multiple vocational training centers—all contributing to an ecosystem designed for future-oriented learning and innovation.
Why This Matters
This summit marks a critical pivot in India’s development trajectory. By marrying infrastructure investment with local skills, ecological strengths, and cultural heritage, the government is redefining the Northeast as a multi-sector growth hub—not only for national progress but also for global partnerships, especially with ASEAN nations.
The diversity of the region is not just symbolic; it’s an asset—one that has drawn investors, spurred optimism, and poised the Northeast to lead India’s growth story.
As the Northeast emerges as a development frontier, the challenge now is execution. Converting summit commitments into concrete projects, ensuring inclusive employment, and sustaining peace and progress in the long term will determine how deeply these aspirations take root.
Will the Northeast become the economic powerhouse that leaders envision? The answer lies in turning momentum into measurable impact over the next decade.
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