New Delhi, May 23, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, sending a powerful message of confidence, hope, and partnership for the future of India’s Northeast. The event, aimed at showcasing the vast investment potential of the region, brought together a wide array of dignitaries, state leaders, business executives, and policymakers under one roof to celebrate the growing momentum in the Northeast’s development journey.
With warmth and pride, Prime Minister Modi described the Northeast as the most diverse part of India’s already rich cultural tapestry. He called it a land of extraordinary potential—home to traditions, textiles, tourism, and technology—and reiterated the government’s firm commitment to empowering the region. “For us, EAST stands for Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform,” he declared, underlining the government’s focused approach toward inclusive growth.
Reflecting on the past eleven years, the Prime Minister noted a remarkable transformation in the region, once considered a remote frontier and now emerging as a leader in India’s growth narrative. He emphasized that the government’s connection with the region is not just administrative but deeply emotional. Over 700 visits by Union Ministers have helped create policies that genuinely reflect the aspirations of the people.
Modi spotlighted massive infrastructure developments—11,000 kilometers of new highways, expanded railways, doubled airports, and advanced digital and energy networks. Projects like the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh and the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge in Assam are not just physical connectors, he said, but bridges of trust and opportunity. The 1,600-kilometer Northeast Gas Grid, enhanced waterway networks, and digital connectivity expansion are positioning the Northeast as a strategic gateway to ASEAN countries, bolstering India’s trade ties with Southeast Asia.
In a deeply sympathetic tone, the Prime Minister addressed the pain and challenges the region had endured due to past conflicts, blockades, and unrest. “Today, peace and stability are becoming the new identity of the Northeast,” he said. More than 10,000 youth have laid down arms in recent years, choosing the path of peace and progress. The government’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and insurgency is restoring hope, especially among the younger generation.
Tourism, too, has seen a dramatic revival. From vibrant homestays to eco-tourism ventures, the region is now a hub for global travelers. Modi described the Northeast as a “complete tourism package,” perfect for conferences, concerts, and even destination weddings, where nature meets tradition.
The region’s young population is also scripting a new digital story. With widespread optical fiber coverage and growing 5G connectivity, youth are not only using technology but are becoming creators and entrepreneurs. Government schemes like MUDRA are fueling this transformation, giving wings to dreams that were once suppressed by conflict and isolation.
Education and skill development have become key focus areas, with ₹21,000 crore invested in the sector over the past decade. The establishment of AIIMS, new IIITs, medical colleges, and hundreds of skill centers is helping nurture a new generation of professionals in the region. Sports, too, are receiving a major push with the creation of India’s first sports university in the Northeast and over 250 Khelo India centers.
Highlighting the region’s strengths in organic farming, Modi shared his dream of seeing Indian food brands on every global dining table, with the Northeast at the forefront. The region’s oranges, pineapples, turmeric, and tea are already in demand worldwide. Initiatives like mega food parks, cold chains, and the Oil Palm Mission aim to enhance farmers’ incomes and reduce dependence on imports.
In a significant declaration, the Prime Minister revealed that the Northeast is fast becoming a hub for energy and semiconductor sectors. With massive investments in hydropower, solar energy, and chip manufacturing—especially in Assam—the region is set to play a crucial role in India’s self-reliance in high-tech industries. He proudly announced that the first ‘Made in India’ semiconductor chip from the Northeast will soon be unveiled.
Calling the Rising Northeast Summit a “movement,” Modi urged investors to view the region not just as a business opportunity but as a shared mission for national progress. He expressed unwavering belief that the Northeast’s rise would elevate the entire country, turning the vision of a Viksit Bharat—a developed India—into reality.
As the Summit continues through May 24, with key sessions on tourism, agro-food processing, textiles, IT, healthcare, education, logistics, and energy, the message from today is clear: the Northeast is no longer on the sidelines—it is leading the way, armed with resilience, beauty, talent, and boundless possibilities.
