Union Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Saturday addressed the North Eastern Council (NEC) Plenary Meet, emphasizing the transformation of the North East under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The 72nd NEC plenary chaired by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah was held at Agartala on Saturday. Addressing the Plenary, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is also the Vice Chairman of the NEC, said that “The Prime Minister’s vision and thoughts have brought immense pride to the people of northeastern region of India. His approach is both deeply emotional and thoughtful. He has charted a new direction by transforming the ‘Look East Policy’ into the ‘Act East Policy,’ which rests on three key pillars. His vision is to turn this region into a hub of progress and development while ensuring it remains a nonviolent area”.

 “Once this region strengthens, we must nurture its growth and ensure its development continues to flourish. This progress will not only benefit the northeastern region but also serve as a key contributor to the prosperity of Southeast Asia. This is the Prime Minister’s vision, and the steps taken so far reflect his commitment,” he added.

Scindia credited the region’s transformation to the combined efforts of the Home Minister Amit Shah, state governments, and various departments. “If we observe the current progress and peaceful environment, much of the credit goes to Home Minister Amit Shah. This region, once synonymous with violence, is now being perceived as a peaceful ‘Shangri-La.’ With the dedication of our security forces, many underground groups and terrorist activities have been eliminated. The Home Minister’s role in ensuring peace aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision,” he said.

Over the past decade, investments worth Rs 5 lakh crore have been made in the Northeast, paving the way for its development. Scindia highlighted the Prime Minister’s commitment, noting that he has visited the northeastern states 64 times, a frequency unmatched by any previous government. He highlighted that the government’s development efforts are driven from the ground rather than from Delhi.

Scindia outlined the region’s significant infrastructure achievements, including the development of 6,000 km of national highways, with 45,000 km of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak yojana under progress; the addition of 2,000 km of rail network and airports in the region has increased from 9 to 17 numbers, including Manipur’s first railway line; operational airports in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, with Arunachal now hosting four airports. He also pointed out that while the region previously lacked waterways, 20 are now operational, significantly enhancing connectivity.

Focusing on economic growth and innovation, he highlighted initiatives such as the Northeast Venture Fund for Startups, which has supported around 5000 startups so far, with the ambitious goal of creating 1 lakh startups in the coming years and envisioning the next unicorn emerging from the Northeast.

Scindia also underscored technological advancements with the establishment of 5G test labs and promoted the concept of “One State, One Product,” leveraging the region’s unique resources like orchids, cardamom, and silk. He emphasized the development of tourist circuits for each state and district to boost tourism and outlined plans for palm oil cultivation over 7,000 hectares and the export of Nagaland’s chilies to Singapore. He also highlighted support for traditional industries such as Eri and Muga silk.

Looking ahead, Scindia announced the upcoming North-East Investors Summit in Delhi to attract investments and position the Northeast as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia. He outlined plans to enhance hydropower capabilities, develop state-specific logistics strategies, and continue the region’s transformation with world-class infrastructure, a thriving knowledge economy, and strategic connectivity.

Scindia concluded by reaffirming the government’s vision to make the Northeast a model of progress, peace, and prosperity, transforming it into a vital contributor to India’s growth story and its link to Southeast Asia.

Bankers’ Conclave:

Addressing the gathering in the Bankers’ Conclave in Agartala, the Minister of DoNER highlighted the transformative initiatives of the government and the region’s potential as a key economic driver for the nation.

“The Prime Minister’s resolve, the Prime Minister’s vision is being articulated by none other than our Home Minister Amit Shah, to ensure that this Northeast region truly becomes the growth engine of India’s economy,” said the Minister, as he detailed India’s rise from being the 11th largest economy in 2014 to the 5th largest today, with projections to become the 3rd largest economy by 2026. He described this as a “paradigm shift and an inflection point” brought about by the Prime Minister’s unwavering focus on inclusive growth.

The Minister emphasized the Northeast’s unique strengths, saying, “This area has been blessed by nature, blessed by Mother Earth, with potential ranging from its abundant natural resources to its skilled human capital.”

Over the past decade, the government has invested Rs 5.27 lakh crore in the region, resulting in transformative infrastructure developments, including the construction of the Bogibeel Road-Rail Bridge, the Bhupen Hazarika Road Bridge, 6,000 kilometers of national highways, and the expansion of airports from 9 to 17.

He added, “Air traffic movements have nearly doubled, and international routes connecting Agartala to Chittagong and Imphal to Mandalay highlight the region’s strategic importance as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia.”

Highlighting the financial sector’s growth, he noted, “The number of bank branches has grown by 50% from 3,330 to 5,182, and credit growth has surged by 282% to Rs 1.86 lakh crore. Bank deposits have increased by 152% to Rs 3.52 lakh crore, while mutual fund assets have more than doubled to Rs 40,000 crore.” He stressed the region’s booming startup ecosystem, with over 100 startups supported by venture capital funds, saying, “The time has come for a unicorn to emerge from the Northeast.”

Urging the banking sector to enhance its presence in the region, the Minister remarked, “The states in the Northeast are growing at 10-12% GDP, far outpacing the national average. If you do not grow your presence in the Northeast now, the train would have left the station. The first-mover advantage is crucial.”

He lauded the Prime Minister’s “bottom-up development vision” and the Home Minister’s efforts in fostering peace and stability, which have created an environment ripe for investment. “Come be part of this opportunity, come be part of this environment that is free for everyone—healthy for the mind, body, and soul, where AQI levels are below 10,” he said, inviting stakeholders to contribute to the region’s growth story.