Shah Says India Incomplete Without Northeast

STRESSING on the key role played by Northeast states in the unity of the country, Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said India remained incomplete without the region.

- Mukesh Ranjan @New Delhi

Addressing an event organised by Assam Rifles to mark "Unity Utsav" here, Shah said, "The word 'unity' holds much importance for the Northeast. After many years of independence, this part of the country - which is even larger than Uttar Pradesh - remained distant from Delhi."

He, however, said that now with the efforts made to improve connectivity, PM Narendra Modi has diminished the distances both in terms "physical" and "dil ki duri." "Today, the Northeast is of entire India, and the entire India is of the Northeast," he said.

Crediting PM Modi for developmental initiatives taken by the Centre in the region, Shah said that there were many opportunities for the youth in various sectors such as tourism, technology, agriculture and entrepreneurship.