The Rising North-East Investors Summit aims to transform India’s Northeastern states into a thriving economic hub. The summit will focus on growth in sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and IT. With delegates from 131 countries, 100 PSUs, ministries, state governments, and top industries, the stage is set. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the event on 23 May.
The event took place at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi and brought together a high-profile panel, including Dharmvir Jha, Statistical Advisor at the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region; Sukanta Majumdar, Member of Lok Sabha; Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region; Chanchal Kumar, IAS, Secretary of the Ministry of DoNER; and Manisha Verma.
Kumar outlined the efforts that have been made over the past 2 years, including nine roadshows in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, two Ambassadors’ Meets, and several state-level and industry conferences. These initiatives have led to investment commitments across sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, textiles, healthcare, IT, and renewable energy.
The Rs 1.12 lakh crore in investments are entirely new, with no funds carried over from past announcements like the Assam Advantage Summit. These commitments have been developed from scratch, in close collaboration with state governments. Scindia said that not a single rupee from earlier declarations is included. This is not a repackaging of old promises, but a fresh effort to bring real investments to the North-East.
From agriculture, horticulture, and clean energy, to tourism, IT, and healthcare, the investment landscape is shaping up to be as rich as it is balanced. A Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor facility is expected in Assam, spearheaded by the Tata Group, which would bring the cutting-edge technology to regions long considered remote.
“What’s exciting is how infrastructure development over the past decade has laid the foundation for this vertical take-off,” Scindia said. “Roads, airports, and digital networks are now enabling high-growth sectors to flourish.”
And it’s not just domestic players, foreign investors are watching too, especially from France. According to Scindia, meetings have already taken place with 76 ambassadors and high commissioners. “French investors, for example, are keen on dairy, agriculture, aviation, IT, and are also exploring the logistics and connectivity potential here.”
A key factor driving confidence in the region is the establishment of Investment Promotion Authorities (IPAs) in six states, streamlining approvals and offering single-window clearances. This move is crucial, particularly for overseas investors, as it ensures predictability and ease of doing business.
Though connectivity has long been a challenge in the Northeast, newer technologies like satellite internet are offering solutions.
Scindia highlighted the potential of tools like Starlink, especially for remote and mountainous areas. “Satellite technology is vital in regions where fibre optics or traditional towers aren’t viable. With Starlink’s recent approvals and spectrum regulations being finalised, we expect satellite connectivity to fill in the remaining gaps.”
Civil aviation has been a game changer for the Northeast. In just a decade, the region’s airports have grown from nine to 17, with weekly air traffic more than doubling from 950 in 2014 to over 2,200. “International routes from Agartala and Imphal to Chittagong and Mandalay are already operational,” Scindia said, adding that Guwahati and Agartala are set to become key gateways to South-East Asia.
Scindia highlighted the Northeast’s potential on the global stage, describing a region with 4.5 crore people, high literacy, and a growth rate nearly double India’s GDP. “The Northeast is tech-savvy, innovative, and ideal for all industries,” he said. “This event is just the start of the region’s transformation. What we’re seeing now is only the beginning.”
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
