Rising North East Investors Summit 2025

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025.

Summit Overview

• Objective: Position the North East Region (NER) as a land of opportunities for both domestic and global investors.
• Key Focus Sectors: Tourism & Hospitality, Agro-Food Processing, Textiles, Handloom & Handicrafts, Healthcare, Education & Skills, IT & ITES, Infrastructure & Logistics, Energy, Entertainment & Sports.
  • Vision for North East: Emphasized the region’s crucial role in achieving a Developed India.
  • Highlighted that the North East is transitioning from a frontier to a front-runner of growth.
• “EAST” Acronym: Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform.
• Sectoral Opportunities: Urged investors to explore opportunities in Energy, Semiconductors, Eco-tourism, Bamboo and bio-economy.
  • Tea, petroleum, sports, and skill development.
• Tourism Potential: The region is a complete tourism package, suitable for global conferences, destination weddings, and concerts.
• Infrastructure Development: Investment of thousands of crores in connectivity and infrastructure.
• Notable projects:
  • Sela Tunnel (Arunachal Pradesh).
  • Bhupen Hazarika Bridge (Assam).
  • 11,000 km of new highways.
  • Expansion of railways and airports.
  • Waterways on Brahmaputra and Barak rivers.
  • 1,600 km Northeast Gas Grid.
  • Installation of hundreds of mobile towers.

North Eastern Region (NER)

• The NER comprises eight States viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
• This region is culturally and ethnically diverse having more than 200 ethnic groups which have distinct languages, dialects and socio-cultural identities.
• The Region covers 7.97% of the country’s geographical area and 3.78% of its population.
• It has 5,484 km of international border viz. Bangladesh (1,880 km), Myanmar (1,643 km), China (1,346 km), Bhutan (516 km) and Nepal (99 km)

Significance of the North East Region

• Geostrategic Significance:
  • International Borders: The NER shares borders with five countries—China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal which make it strategically important.
  • Gateway to ASEAN: It is a critical link in India’s Act East Policy, serving as a bridge to Southeast Asia.
    • Current India–ASEAN trade: ~$125 billion, projected to exceed $200 billion.
• Strategic Military Importance: Due to proximity to China, the region holds significant defense value for national security.
• Economic and Trade Potential:
  • Cross-Border Trade: Projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit and India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway boost trade with Southeast Asia.
  • Untapped markets and natural resources make it ideal for early investors in sectors like energy, agriculture, tourism, and logistics.
  • Health, Wellness & Tourism: Offers clean air, organic food, serene landscapes, and rich tribal cultures.
• Ideal for wellness tourism, eco-tourism, and adventure tourism.
• Rich cultural diversity (dance, music, festivals) promotes cultural diplomacy and soft power.

Challenges Faced by the Region

• Poor connectivity: Difficult terrain and underdeveloped road, rail, and air networks.
• Limited digital infrastructure: Though improving, internet and telecom connectivity are weaker compared to other parts of India.
• Insurgency and Internal Security Issues: Presence of militant groups and separatist movements in some areas.
  • Cross-border infiltration and arms smuggling due to porous borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
  • Although security has improved, periodic unrest still affects peace and progress.
• Geographic and Environmental Constraints: Hilly and forested terrain makes development of infrastructure and industries difficult and costly.
• Ethnic Tensions and Migration Issues : Inter-community tensions and demands for autonomy or separate states lead to uncertainty in the region.
  • Illegal immigration from neighboring countries has altered demographics in some areas, creating social unrest.

Way Ahead

• Historically neglected, the northeast has gained prominence in recent decades.
• Its strategic value has increased due to India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and evolving Indo-Pacific geopolitical dynamics.
• The region is now seen as a vital gateway for India’s regional connectivity initiatives.
• Ongoing connectivity efforts require capacity-building for rail and road projects and improved border infrastructure.
• The overarching goal is to maximise the multi-dimensional potential of the northeast and cement its role as a regional connectivity hub.