Act East Policy driving NE transformation: Nagaland CM Rio at NEIINFRA 2026
Synopsis
At NEIINFRA 2026 in Shillong, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio framed the Northeast not just as a development frontier but as India's strategic gateway to Southeast Asia — and argued that Act East Policy, backed by real infrastructure investment, could finally make that vision tangible. With 1,500-plus delegates and all eight NE states in the room, the summit is the region's biggest infrastructure pitch yet.
Key Takeaways
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio addressed the inaugural session of NEIINFRA 2026 in Shillong on 15 June 2026 .
The summit hosted more than 1,500 delegates and over 60 exhibitors from all eight Northeastern states .
Rio called for sustained investment in road, rail, air, and digital connectivity to integrate the Northeast with national and international markets.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Meghalaya CM Conrad K.
Sangma attended the inaugural ceremony alongside DoNER officials.
The Northeast's strategic border location was highlighted as a potential gateway connecting India with Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy .
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday, 15 June 2026 declared that the Northeast is entering a transformative phase of development under the Centre's Act East Policy, calling for stronger collaboration between governments and investors to unlock the region's full economic potential. Rio made the remarks at the inaugural session of the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA) 2026 in Shillong.
Key Developments at NEIINFRA 2026
The two-day summit, hosted by the Meghalaya government at the Lariti Complex in New Shillong, has drawn more than 1,500 delegates, over 60 exhibitors, and representatives from all eight Northeastern states. Multiple sectoral sessions and CEO roundtables are focused on infrastructure, logistics, urban development, energy, and investment promotion.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, senior officials from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), and industry leaders from across the country.
What Nagaland CM Rio Said
'The Northeast is entering a dynamic phase of transformation driven by the Act East Policy,' Rio said, underscoring that sustained investments in infrastructure and connectivity would be critical to integrating the region with national and international markets.
He stressed that improved road, rail, air, and digital connectivity would strengthen economic ties among the Northeastern states while opening new avenues in trade, tourism, logistics, and entrepreneurship. Rio also highlighted the region's strategic geography — sharing international borders with several countries — positioning it as a potential gateway connecting India with Southeast Asia.
Why the Summit Matters
Rio described collaborative forums such as NEIINFRA as essential for translating development blueprints into tangible outcomes on the ground. He expressed appreciation to the Meghalaya government for organising the event, calling it an important platform for fostering cooperation among stakeholders across the region.
This comes amid a broader push by the Centre to accelerate infrastructure investment in the Northeast, a region that has historically lagged in connectivity and industrial development despite its strategic border location. The Act East Policy, which frames the Northeast as India's land bridge to Southeast Asia, has gained renewed momentum in recent years with increased allocations under the DoNER ministry.
Road Ahead for Northeast Development
Rio said the Northeast has entered a period of growing stability and that sustained cooperation between the Centre and state governments would help transform the region into a major economic growth hub in the coming years. Industry representatives and policymakers at the summit are expected to deliberate on bankable project pipelines across infrastructure corridors, cross-border trade routes, and digital infrastructure over the two days.
Point of View
But the Northeast has heard the Act East promise before. What is new is the scale of political attendance and the explicit framing of the region as a Southeast Asia gateway — not just a welfare recipient. The real accountability test will come when delegate pledges are converted into grounded, time-bound project commitments. Without a tracking mechanism for investment follow-through, summits like this risk becoming annual rituals rather than inflection points for a region that has waited decades for its connectivity dividend.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NEIINFRA 2026?
NEIINFRA 2026 is the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition held in Shillong on 15-16 June 2026. It is hosted by the Meghalaya government and brings together over 1,500 delegates, 60-plus exhibitors, and representatives from all eight Northeastern states to discuss infrastructure, logistics, energy, and investment.
What did Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio say at NEIINFRA 2026?
Rio said the Northeast is entering a transformative phase driven by the Act East Policy and stressed the need for sustained investment in road, rail, air, and digital connectivity. He also highlighted the region's strategic location as a potential gateway between India and Southeast Asia.
What is the Act East Policy and why does it matter for the Northeast?
The Act East Policy is a Centre-led initiative that positions the Northeast as India's land bridge to Southeast Asia, prioritising connectivity, trade, and infrastructure investment in the region. It has gained renewed momentum in recent years with increased allocations under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
Who attended the inaugural session of NEIINFRA 2026?
The inaugural session was attended by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, senior DoNER officials, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the country and all eight Northeastern states.
What sectors are being discussed at the NEIINFRA 2026 summit?
The summit's sectoral sessions and CEO roundtables cover infrastructure, logistics, urban development, energy, and investment promotion, with a focus on translating development plans into bankable projects for the Northeastern region.
