By Dipak Kurmi
The Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is a momentous opportunity to reshape the developmental trajectory of the Northeast region. Historically marginalised, often viewed through a narrow security prism, and geographically isolated, the Northeast demands urgent and sustained development. While the last two decades have seen a noticeable, albeit uneven, acceleration in infrastructure and social development, the region still lags behind the national average. The Summit—filled with industry leaders, policymakers, and global stakeholders—offers a powerful platform to convert promises into tangible progress.
Yet, such events often risk becoming rhetorical showcases unless they are followed up by action on the ground. State governments in the Northeast must seize this momentum and decisively market the region as not just a viable but a highly attractive investment destination. While major Indian corporations like Reliance, Adani Group, and OIL have shown significant interest, foreign direct investment remains far below potential. This gap can only be bridged if the rhetoric is matched with realistic, transparent, and future-oriented presentations of the region’s investment climate, logistical connectivity, and resource base.
Prime Minister Modi’s address rightly underscored the immense and largely untapped economic, cultural, and ecological potential of the Northeast. Calling it the most diverse region in the world’s most diverse country, he spotlighted the rich convergence of trade, textiles, tourism, tradition, tea, petroleum, bamboo, and bio-economy. His articulation of “EAST” as Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform—reframing a cardinal direction as a development vision—strikes a powerful note. Yet, vision must now translate into visibility on the ground.
The Prime Minister highlighted key transformative initiatives undertaken in the past 11 years: construction of 11,000 km of highways, new railway lines, a doubling of airports, digital connectivity through thousands of mobile towers and 13,000 km of optical fibre, and multimodal transport on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. Projects like the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, Bhupen Hazarika Bridge in Assam, the Northeast Gas Grid, and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway are indicative of a long-overdue infrastructure revolution.
However, such infrastructure must be inclusive, sustainable, and culturally sensitive. The Northeast’s unparalleled natural bounty—its forests, hills, rivers, and biodiversity—must not become collateral damage in the rush for development. The path forward must be one of sustainable tourism, responsible urbanisation, and ecological stewardship. Tourism, both eco and cultural, is a low-hanging fruit for the region and must be developed without undermining its delicate environment. Investments should be encouraged in homestays, heritage circuits, wellness retreats, and adventure tourism—not just large-scale resorts.
The Summit also shed light on Northeast’s role in India’s growing digital and start-up ecosystem. Youth in the region, now empowered with 4G/5G networks, skill development centres, new IIITs, AIIMS, and sports infrastructure, are emerging not just as job seekers but as innovators and entrepreneurs. With nearly ₹21,000 crore invested in the education sector over the past decade, including the establishment of over 800 new schools, nine medical colleges, AIIMS, and mass communication institutes, the foundation is being laid for a generational transformation.
On the agrarian and organic front, the Northeast is poised to become the organic food hub of India. As Prime Minister Modi rightly said, his vision is to see Indian organic brands on every global dining table, and the Northeast will play a pivotal role in realising that dream. The region’s produce—pineapple, lemon, turmeric, ginger, and high-quality tea—is increasingly in demand. But real success will depend on value-addition and processing infrastructure. Cold chains, food parks, and rural agri-logistics hubs must be prioritised with private and public partnership.
Furthermore, connectivity projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit linking Kolkata with Sittwe Port in Myanmar via Mizoram and the development of logistics hubs in Guwahati, Imphal, and Agartala point towards the Northeast’s potential to serve as India’s trade bridge to ASEAN. With India-ASEAN trade expected to rise to $200 billion in the coming years, the Northeast can be both the launchpad and the lighthouse for India’s Act East policy.
Yet, all of this is contingent on peace. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Centre’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and insurgency, noting that over 10,000 militants have surrendered in the last decade. The return of peace, bolstered by meaningful political engagement and peace accords, is the bedrock of development. Once synonymous with blockades and armed conflict, the Northeast is now scripting a new story of enterprise and excellence.
To harness this moment, what is needed most is not just policy intent, but administrative agility and local stakeholder participation. The states must compete in ease of doing business, transparent governance, and creating an investor-friendly ecosystem. Simultaneously, they must not alienate local communities, whose cultures, traditions, and knowledge systems are the region’s true asset. Inclusive and equitable development must remain the cornerstone.
The Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 should not just be a ceremonial event but a springboard for a decade of transformative change. It is time to ensure that the promises made at Bharat Mandapam find realisation in Bhalukpong, Barak Valley, and beyond. The Northeast can no longer be a frontier. It must now be India’s frontline for growth, connectivity, and sustainable prosperity.
(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
