Northeast as 'Frontrunner of Growth'

Posted 17 Jun 2025

Updated 20 Jun 2025

6 min read

Why in the News?

Recently, Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Rising North East Summit 2025 hosted by the Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern Region (DoNER).

Key highlights of focus sectors of NER in the Rising North East Summit 2025

Sectors	Highlights
Textiles, Handlooms & Handicrafts	NER is a hub for sustainable textiles and handicrafts, features Assam's GI-tagged Muga silk, Nagaland's tribal shawls, Tripura's bamboo crafts etc. NER plays a dominant role in India's handloom sector, contributing 92.90% of shawls, mekhela chadors, stoles, and scarves, nearly 78.50% of traditional garments. Over 53% of looms and more than 50% of weavers in the country belongs to North East States.
Renewable Energy	It holds over 60 GW of exploitable conventional hydropower potential (40% of India's total), with major reserves in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Assam.
IT &ITES	Rapid IT infrastructure development, including a 100-acre IT Park in Assam, STPI Complex in Agartala, and region's first IT SEZ with an Innovation Hub inaugurated at Mantripukhri, Imphal in 2021.
Infrastructure and Logistics	In FY 2024–25, 78 km of NH were built with bridges like Dhola-Sadiya and Bogibeel further enhances Assam-Arunachal connectivity. Air connectivity has been improved with17 airports (up from 9 in 2013). Jogighopa IWT terminal in Assam is strategically linked to a Multi-Modal Logistics Park to boost international trade access.
Tourism and Hospitality	NER features 2 UNESCO sites (Kaziranga, Manas), 30+ wildlife sanctuaries, and diverse landscapes. Sikkim and Meghalaya lead in sustainable tourism; "Swadesh Darshan" and "PRASHAD" schemes to boost infrastructure.
Education	High literacy: Mizoram (91.3%), Tripura (87.2%), Nagaland (80.1%) 40% population under 25, ideal for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Health	High potential in phytopharmaceuticals and traditional medicine. Strategic focus on PPP models, private hospital chains, and diagnostics labs in urban hubs like Guwahati, Imphal, and Aizawl is gradually transforming the healthcare ecosystem.
Agriculture	Rich agro-biodiversity and climate support organic & high-value crops (Assam tea, Joha rice, Kachai lemon, kiwi, pineapple). There are Over 70% population in agriculture, mostly small/marginal farmers.
Sports	Indigenous sports (archery, thang-ta, polo etc). States like Manipur, Mizoram, Assam produce national/international athletes (football, boxing, weightlifting). Infrastructure projects like Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium (Assam) and Khuman Lampak (Manipur) can become hubs with investment.

Description: A map of the north east states of india

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Potential of NER to become 'frontrunner of growth'

Geo-strategic: It serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia, with each state sharing an international border. The region also holds a significant stake in the country's 'Act East Policy,' which is aimed at promoting economic, political, and cultural ties with Southeast Asia.
Energy: Abundant in natural resources like coal, uranium, oil, natural gas, and hydropower, this region has the potential to serve as a major energy hub for India.
Diverse cultural heritage: A region with unique ethnic communities and traditions that offer investment opportunities in tourism and handicrafts.
Low-cost manufacturing hub: Low labour costs compared to other parts of India and the world.
India's green hub: Home to lush forests and rich biodiversity, it is an ideal destination for ecotourism and agro-based industries.

Challenges in North-Eastern Region

Poor connectivity: The region's only connection to mainland India is narrow Siliguri Corridor (or Chicken Neck), isolating the region from the rest of the country which affect movement and logistics.
Insurgency and armed conflicts: Long-standing insurgencies due to demands for autonomy, or tribal rights. For e.g., NSCN-IM (National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah) demands "Greater Nagalim", Kuki -Meitei clashes in Manipur, etc.
Narco terrorism: NER, bordering near the "Golden Triangle" (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand), serves as a key transit route for heroin and synthetic drugs due to porous and poorly monitored borders in states like Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Human Rights violations: Supreme Court, NHRC etc raised concerns about lack of accountability under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958. AFSPA's prolonged presence in Nagaland and Manipur has fueled separatist sentiments.
Environmental vulnerabilities: Prone to natural disasters like floods, landslides, and earthquakes. For e.g., Annual Brahmaputra floods displace lakhs in Assam and destroy crops.

Initiatives for Development of NER

India

International

North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS): Supports in developing physical infrastructure like water supply, power, connectivity, tourism, and social infrastructure in NER.
Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE): Aimed at rapid and holistic development of NER by funding infrastructure and social development projects, based on felt needs of the States.
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCDNER): For development of certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of entire value chain.
Peace and security initiatives: NLFT and ATTF Peace Agreement 2024, Adivasi Assam Peace Accord, 2022, DNLA Peace agreement 2023, ULFA Peace Accord 2023 etc.

Regional connectivity projects: Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project, IMT (India-Myanmar-Thailand) Trilateral Highway, BBIM Motor Vehicle Agreement, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, etc.
Act East Forum (AEF): Established in 2017 by India and Japan to promote connectivity within NER and between this region and Southeast Asia.
SASEC (South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation): It brings together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in a project-based partnership to promote regional prosperity.

Way Forward

Diversify access routes: For e.g. Hili–Mahendraganj transnational corridor, this proposed corridor would connect Hili (West Bengal) with Mahendraganj (Meghalaya) through Bangladesh, bypassing the Siliguri route.
Reduce insurgency: Tripura's success in achieving peace through rehabilitation efforts and strengthening local governance mechanism offers valuable lessons for Nagaland and Manipur.
- Bru tribals, who were affected by the ethnic violence in Mizoram in the late 1990s and 2009, have been rehabilitated in Tripura.
Address illegal migration and border security: Measures include Surveillance equipment like Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI), Night Vision Device (NVD), UAVs, CCTV/PTZ cameras, IR sensors, and Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS).
Improving Integration of NER with rest of India: Prevent discrimination and racial attacks against the people from NER living in other parts of India through legal measures, media campaigns, etc. (Bezbaruah Committee).

Conclusion

With its unique strategic location, rich cultural diversity, and abundant natural resources, the NER holds immense potential across sectors ranging from renewable energy to tourism. By addressing connectivity gaps, ensuring peace, and integrating with regional economies, NER can truly emerge as a vibrant engine of inclusive and sustainable development.