Northeast at the Forefront as PM Modi Opens Rising North East Investors Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Thursday, positioning the region as a central pillar in India’s economic transformation and a strategic link to Southeast Asia. The summit aims to catalyze domestic and global investments into the eight Northeastern states by showcasing their industrial, cultural, and infrastructural potential.
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| Image Source: PIB India Screengrab |
Framing the Northeast as a gateway to ASEAN and a rising economic zone, the Prime Minister said, “The Northeast is the most diverse region of our diverse nation,” underlining its promise across sectors including bio-economy, organic agriculture, eco-tourism, and energy. He reiterated India’s ‘Act East’ vision, calling the region a “front-runner in India’s growth story” and urging investors to seize the first-mover advantage.
Addressing the North East Rising Summit in Delhi. The region is witnessing unprecedented progress. We are determined to accelerate its growth story. https://t.co/Az6CDuMIEp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2025
In his keynote, Modi emphasized the shift from neglect to empowerment, citing a decade of sustained development. Over ₹21,000 crore has been invested in education alone, with the creation of 800+ new schools, nine medical colleges, two IIITs, and the Northeast’s first AIIMS. The Prime Minister highlighted infrastructure advancements, including 11,000 km of new highways, expanded rail networks, doubled airports, and waterway development on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. He also mentioned the 1,600-km Northeast Gas Grid and 13,000 km of optical fiber, calling these investments the “foundation of confidence” for industries.
The Northeast’s strategic relevance was further illustrated with references to the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project, and the development of multi-modal logistics hubs in Guwahati, Imphal, and Agartala. These, he noted, are vital for boosting trade ties with Indo-Pacific markets and elevating the region's connectivity.
Touching on the region’s organic and agro-processing potential, Modi pointed to surging global demand for Indian products like tea, turmeric, pineapples, and ginger, and called for greater investment in food processing, cold chain infrastructure, and oil palm cultivation under the National Mission on Edible Oils.
In a forward-looking address, the Prime Minister announced that the first Made-in-India semiconductor chip from the Northeast will soon be introduced, marking a technological leap for the region. He invited stakeholders to participate in India’s clean energy and semiconductor ecosystems, noting that several thousand crore rupees have already been committed to hydropower and solar power projects.
A Glimpse into the Vibrance of the Northeast at RNEIS 2025.
— MDoNER India (@MDoNER_India) May 22, 2025
Swipe through to witness the energy, culture, and innovation on full display at the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. From a grand stage set for visionary dialogues to… pic.twitter.com/c0umWA6rZs
Reinforcing his government’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and insurgency, Modi described how improved law and order has opened the door to tourism and youth entrepreneurship. He noted that over 10,000 former insurgents have laid down arms, and schemes like MUDRA have helped lakhs of youth access financial support.
Mr. Nasser Hazza Al Hajri, Second Secretary, attended the 'Rising North East'-Investors Summit organised by Ministry of Development of North East Region (MDoNER), in the presence of H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Prime Minister, Govt. of India & other dignitaries on 23/05/2025. pic.twitter.com/HeVTgbyO5M
— QatarEmbassy.India (@QatarEmb_ND) May 23, 2025
Calling the summit more than an investment event, the Prime Minister described it as “a movement and a mission” that reflects India’s broader vision of a Viksit Bharat. “Our government’s goal is to transform Ashtalakshmi — the eight Northeastern states — into drivers of India’s future,” he said.
Dignitaries present included Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Governors, and Chief Ministers from all eight Northeastern states — Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura — as well as senior policymakers and industry leaders.
Reliance Industries plans to invest ₹75,000 crore over the next 5 years in the North East region, Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced at the Rising Northeast Investors Summit.
— Mint (@livemint) May 23, 2025
Read in detail 👇https://t.co/jjcwCF18i6 pic.twitter.com/9KmtXBL9bS
The two-day summit (May 23–24) is a culmination of extensive pre-event outreach, including roadshows, bilateral meets, and state-level roundtables, organized by the central and state governments. The summit features ministerial plenaries, B2G and B2B sessions, startup exhibitions, and sector-focused dialogues, all aimed at fostering investment partnerships.