Developed Northeast key to Viksit Bharat, says PM

Hailing Northeast India as the country's most diverse region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an investment summit here on Friday that it is becoming the "frontrunner of growth."

- Saubhadra Chatterji

NEW DELHI:

"From trade to tradition, textile to tourism—the Northeast is the most diverse part of India. A developed Northeast is essential for Viksit Bharat," the PM said at Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. North east development minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the MoUs and LoIs of ₹4.18 lakh crore have been received for the Northeast region.

"The changes in the Northeast over the past 11 years are not just numbers; they are changes felt on the ground. We haven't connected with the Northeast only through plans, but from the heart. Our central government ministers have visited the Northeast at least 700 times, and the rule (for them) was to stay overnight, not just visit and leave," said PM Modi. The Modi government has also worked to build connectivity to and within the region, and made it a lynchpin of a policy that the Prime Minister described as East -- "Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform."

The PM also referred to his government's efforts to foster peace in the region. "There was a time when North East was linked to "bomb, bandook (guns) and blockade. Local youth have lost many opportunities due to this. We have done a number of peace deals. In last 10 years, 10,000 youth have surrendered arms," he said. He did not mention Manipur, which has been roiled by ethnic violence for over a year.