Unity in Diversity: India's Northeastern Region
Prime Minister emphasized India's unity in diversity at the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, particularly highlighting the northeastern region's cultural and natural richness.
Diversity and Conflicts
- The northeast is characterized by diverse languages, tribes, and cultures.
- Conflicts, such as the ongoing one between the Kuki and Meiti communities in Manipur since May 3, 2023, arise from these diversities.
Government Initiatives and Developments
Efforts to promote the northeast as an attractive destination for investors and tourists include:
- Infrastructure projects like the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh and the Bhupen Hazarika bridge in Assam.
- Construction of 11,000 kilometers of highways, expanded rail lines, and new airports.
- Development of waterways on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers.
- Expansion of mobile telephony and a 1,600-km-long Northeast Gas Grid.
Peace and Perception Changes
- Efforts to settle conflicts include the Framework Agreement with NSCN (Isak-Muivah) in 2015, Bodo Peace Accord, and Bru refugee settlement in 2020.
- The rollback of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in parts of the region.
- Positive perception changes have increased tourism and attracted investments, such as Tata Group's ₹27,000-crore semiconductor plant in Assam.
Ongoing Challenges
- Perception issues in Nagaland regarding stalled peace processes.
- Inter-State border disputes, partially resolved between Assam with Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
- Increased power demand and hydroelectric project protests in Arunachal Pradesh due to environmental concerns.
- Social tensions heightened by rhetoric about immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Conclusion: Act East Policy
For successful integration with East Asian economies through the Act East policy, internal policies and relations with neighboring countries must be aligned.
