Is the Northeast Region Ready for a New Economic Revolution?

New Delhi, May 25 (NationPress) The Northeast Region is embarking on a transformative path towards a New Economic Revolution—a revival that positions it as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia,” stated Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, who oversees the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). In his concluding remarks at the North East Summit 2025, the Minister emphasized that the Northeast has become a center for global partnerships and shared interests.

The Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, which took place from May 23-24, wrapped up with notable investment announcements made on its inaugural day, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurating the event.

The Minister revealed that the two-day summit attracted an impressive investment proposal of Rs 4.3 lakh crore, paving the way for the Northeast Region (NER) to evolve into India’s next economic powerhouse.

“We intend to maintain B2G and B2B discussions, where the Ministry for DoNER will serve as a conduit between investors and state administrations, ensuring that every approved initiative materializes without delay,” he assured.

He noted, “Delegations from over 80 countries, including Japan, Europe, and ASEAN nations, participated in the summit, echoing a single sentiment: the future of India resides in the Northeast.”

“This achievement would not have been feasible without the unwavering commitment of the government under PM Modi, who has a profound connection with this region. For sixty years post-Independence, successive governments overlooked this region's immense potential—a region that once contributed nearly 20 percent to India’s GDP. However, Prime Minister Modi has not only recognized this potential but has embraced it wholeheartedly,” he added.

The Minister highlighted that the Centre has adopted a holistic governmental strategy for the development of the Northeast, establishing eight high-level task forces across vital sectors: agriculture, sports, investment promotion, tourism, economic corridors, infrastructure, textiles and handicrafts, and animal husbandry, enabling each state to define its unique roadmap.

The Ministry has engaged in dialogues with various stakeholders, including investors and foreign diplomats, to promote investment prospects in the Northeastern states.

In 2024, the ministry spearheaded an extensive engagement campaign both nationally and internationally. These initiatives encompassed nine domestic roadshows in key Indian cities, meetings with ambassadors from over 95 countries, six state roundtables, sector-specific industry interactions, and consultations with public sector units, industry chambers, and corporations.

Regarding the Rising North East Summit 2025, the minister remarked that it was unprecedented for major industrial entities to collectively announce investments exceeding Rs 1,55,000 crore during the summit's opening ceremony.

Gautam Adani, chairperson of the Adani Group, declared an additional Rs 50,000 crore investment over the next decade, while Anil Agarwal, chairman of the Vedanta Group, announced more than Rs 30,000 crore for the Northeast.

This pioneering investment summit, organized by the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region, featured ministerial sessions, Business-to-Government and Business-to-Business meetings, startup showcases, and exhibitions highlighting state and central ministries' initiatives for investment promotion.

The summit culminated from various pre-summit activities, including a series of roadshows and state roundtables, alongside the Ambassador's Meet and Bilateral Chambers Meet, organized by the central government with significant support from the Northeastern state governments.

During the summit's inaugural ceremony on Friday, the Prime Minister noted that in the last decade, Rs 21,000 crore has been invested in the Northeast's education sector. He highlighted key advancements, including the establishment of over 800 new schools, the region's first AIIMS, nine new medical colleges, and two new IITs.

The Prime Minister assured that the Northeast now provides top-notch talent across various sectors, urging industries and investors to tap into the region's vast potential.