The Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita and the Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Sukanta Majumdar at the Valedictory Session of the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025.
New Delhi: The ‘Rising North East Investors Summit 2025’, held here from May 23-24, 2025, secured Rs 4.3 lakh crore in investment proposals, positioning India’s North Eastern Region (NER) as a key driver of economic growth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit, highlighting the region’s role in Viksit Bharat by 2047. Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his valedictory address, reported participation from over 80 countries, including Japan, Europe, and ASEAN nations, with commitments signalling global confidence in the NER’s potential.
The summit, organised by MDoNER, convened chief ministers of all eight northeastern states, Union ministers, industry leaders, diplomats, and over 2,000 delegates. Discussions covered nine sectors: agriculture, food processing, textiles, handlooms, handicrafts, tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, logistics, energy, education, skill development, healthcare, IT, and sports. The event followed preparatory activities, including nine roadshows in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, two Ambassadors’ Meets with representatives from over 95 countries, six state roundtables, and six sector-specific industry interactions. These efforts, led by MDoNER with NER states, yielded 803 investment intents, with roadshows contributing Rs 99,533 crore, PSUs Rs 1.27 lakh crore, industrial houses Rs 1.58 lakh crore, and B2G meetings at the summit Rs 18,600 crore.
Industry leaders announced major commitments during the inaugural session. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, pledged Rs 75,000 crore over five years for agriculture, telecommunications, digital services, and local enterprises. Gautam Adani, Chairperson of Adani Group, committed Rs 50,000 crore over the next decade, while Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta, announced Rs 30,000 crore for various sectors. MoUs were signed, including agreements between Sikkim and SM Hotels, and Meghalaya and Agri-Bio Fuels Global, targeting infrastructure, tourism, and renewable energy.
Scindia noted the government’s whole-of-government approach under Modi’s leadership, recalling that the NER once contributed nearly 20% to India’s GDP but was neglected for six decades post-Independence. Modi’s policies have expanded national highways from 10,905 km in 2014 to 16,207 km by 2024, added 694.5 megawatts of power generation capacity, and increased airports from nine to 17. The Prime Minister, in his address, reported Rs 21,000 crore invested in education, including 800 new schools, the region’s first AIIMS, nine medical colleges, and two IIITs, equipping the NER with skilled talent.
MDoNER formed eight task forces across agriculture, sports, investment promotion, tourism, economic corridors, infrastructure, textiles, handicrafts, and animal husbandry to support state-specific roadmaps. Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita reported over 700 Union minister visits to the NER in the past decade, reflecting a governance model focused on outcomes. Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar highlighted the summit’s role in showcasing the NER’s potential, while MDoNER Secretary Chanchal Kumar emphasised the region’s resources, tourism, sports, and music as investment drivers. Statistical Advisor Dharmvir Jha noted that pre-summit activities had secured over Rs 1 lakh crore in proposals.
Scindia reaffirmed MDoNER’s role in facilitating B2G and B2B dialogues to convert MoUs into projects, positioning the NER as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia. The summit’s outcomes, driven by global participation and investment pledges, reflect the government’s commitment to integrating the NER into India’s economic framework, fostering development in a region poised to shape the nation’s growth trajectory.
– global bihari bureau
