North-East Now Front-Runner in India's Growth, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Oil Palm Mission initiative offers a strong income opportunity for farmers in the Northeast as it reduces India's dependency on edible oil imports.

- SHAHID K ABBAS

Asserting that palm oil farming presents a major opportunity for industries, encouraging stakeholders to tap into the region's agricultural potential, the Prime Minister noted that Northeast's soil and climate was "highly suitable for palm oil cultivation."

Addressing the audience after inaugurating the 'Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025' at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today, the Prime Minister said, "Rising Northeast is more than just an investors' summit, it is a movement and a call to action."

Emphasising that India's future will reach new heights through the Northeast's progress and prosperity, the Prime Minister urged business leaders to unite in driving growth.

"Northeast is emerging as a key destination for two strategic sectors—energy and semiconductors," the Prime Minister asserted, highlighting "government's extensive investments in hydropower and solar power across all Northeastern states, with several thousand crore worth of projects already approved."

He noted that beyond investment opportunities in plants and infrastructure, there is significant potential in manufacturing, including solar modules, cells, storage solutions, and research.