Tripura Global Pineapple Festival opens in Delhi: Modi backs Northeast growth
Synopsis
India's Northeast push got an unlikely but vivid symbol this week: a three-day global festival in New Delhi dedicated entirely to Tripura's GI-tagged Queen Pineapple. With PM Modi invoking the 'Act East, Act Fast and Act First' doctrine and DoNER co-organising the event, this is less a fruit fair and more a statement of intent about turning Northeast agri-heritage into export-grade economic leverage.
Key Takeaways
The Tripura Global Pineapple Festival opened at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi on 27 June 2026 , running through 29 June .
PM Narendra Modi cited 12 years of NDA governance under the 'Act East, Act Fast and Act First' vision for Northeast development.
Tripura's Queen Pineapple holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag , recognised for its distinctive aroma and sweetness.
Chief Minister Manik Saha , Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath , and MoS DoNER Sukanta Majumdar attended the inauguration.
The festival is co-organised by the Ministry of DoNER and aims to connect farmers, exporters, and policymakers to expand global market access.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 26 June 2026 reaffirmed his government's 'Act East, Act Fast and Act First' vision for the Northeast, as the inaugural Tripura Global Pineapple Festival opened at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The three-day festival, running from 27 to 29 June, aims to project Tripura's celebrated Queen Pineapple onto domestic and international markets.
Festival Inauguration and Key Attendees
The event was inaugurated by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, accompanied by state Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath and Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Sukanta Majumdar. Described as the first-ever edition of its kind, the festival and exhibition brings together farmers, exporters, researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers on a single platform to build trade linkages for Tripura's flagship horticultural produce.
Modi's Message: The Queen Pineapple and Its GI Tag
In a message shared on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the Queen Pineapple's distinctive aroma and sweetness as products of Tripura's unique natural conditions. He noted that the grant of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to the fruit was 'an important recognition of Tripura's rich agricultural heritage.' Chief Minister Saha subsequently tagged the Prime Minister's message on his own official X account.
Modi said he was 'confident that these efforts will improve livelihoods and establish Tripura as a leading global source of premium pineapples,' adding that he has 'always been deeply touched by the warmth and affection of the people of Tripura.'
The 'Act East' Framework and Northeast Development
The Prime Minister stated that over the past 12 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has pursued accelerated development of the Northeastern region by leveraging its natural and cultural strengths. He described such initiatives as part of a broader commitment to making the Northeast 'an integral part of India's growth story.'
Notably, the festival is co-organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), signalling central government backing beyond a state-level showcase. This comes amid sustained Centre-led investment in Northeast connectivity, trade corridors, and agricultural value chains over recent years.
What the Festival Aims to Achieve
According to officials, the event is designed to strengthen value chains, expand market access, and encourage agri-innovation. Modi expressed confidence that the festival would 'enhance the international recognition of the Queen Pineapple, open new avenues for trade and investment.' He also invoked the vision of a 'Viksit Tripura' contributing to a broader 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) goal.
With the festival running through 29 June, organisers are expected to announce trade agreements and export partnerships before it concludes.
Point of View
And post-harvest losses and cold-chain gaps have historically constrained export volumes far more than visibility. Whether this festival translates into durable supply-chain investment or remains a well-photographed showcase will determine its legacy for the farmers it claims to serve.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tripura Global Pineapple Festival 2026?
It is a three-day festival and exhibition held from 27 to 29 June 2026 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, organised to promote Tripura's GI-tagged Queen Pineapple in domestic and international markets. The event is co-organised by the Tripura government and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
What is the Queen Pineapple and why does it have a GI tag?
The Queen Pineapple is Tripura's signature horticultural produce, known for its distinctive aroma and sweetness attributed to the state's unique natural conditions. It was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in recognition of Tripura's agricultural heritage, distinguishing it from generic pineapple varieties in the market.
What did PM Modi say about the Tripura Pineapple Festival?
PM Modi, in a message posted on social media platform X, called the Queen Pineapple 'a source of pride for the people of Tripura' and said the festival would 'enhance international recognition, open new avenues for trade and investment, and improve livelihoods.' He also reiterated his government's 'Act East, Act Fast and Act First' vision for Northeast development.
Who attended the inauguration of the festival?
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, state Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath, and Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar attended the inaugural function on 27 June 2026 in New Delhi.
What is the 'Act East' vision PM Modi referred to?
The 'Act East, Act Fast and Act First' vision is the NDA government's stated framework for accelerating development in India's Northeastern states by leveraging their natural, cultural, and geographic strengths. PM Modi said the government has pursued this approach over the past 12 years to integrate the Northeast into India's broader growth story.
