Shillong : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the Northeast has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade and is now recognized globally as an “opportunity hotspot” rather than a region associated with conflict.
Addressing the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, Shah said the Modi Government has made significant strides in improving infrastructure, connectivity, peace, and economic development across the eight northeastern states.
He stated that rail, road, and air connectivity in the region have expanded rapidly over the last 12 years, helping reduce not only the geographical distance between Delhi and the Northeast but also the emotional gap between the people of the region and the rest of the country.
“The diversity of the Northeast has emerged as a major strength before the world. Today, the region is known for coexistence, harmony, and opportunities,” Shah said.
Highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage, he noted that the Northeast is home to more than 200 tribal communities and nearly 200 dialects and languages. He urged all stakeholders to work together to preserve this unique identity while promoting development.
The Home Minister said the Government has successfully implemented the principles of “Act East, Act Fast and Act First” and emphasized that development requires not only funding but also vision, planning, and effective monitoring.
Referring to the High-Level Task Force report on the development and preservation of the Northeast, Shah described it as a guiding document and urged all states to ensure full implementation of its recommendations.
He also highlighted major investment commitments in the region, stating that the Northeast has attracted investments worth around ₹4.25 lakh crore. Among the key projects are the ₹27,000 crore semiconductor plant in Assam, the Namrup Ammonia-Urea Complex, and initiatives aimed at developing the Northeast as a healthcare hub for India and neighbouring countries.
Shah called for stronger implementation of the Single Window Clearance system, regular monitoring of development projects, and timely completion of multimodal logistics hubs in Guwahati, Imphal, and Agartala.
He further urged northeastern states to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of fish, milk, and eggs and announced that the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) would support the region by supplying over 50,000 milch animals annually from the next financial year.
The Home Minister also stressed the importance of preserving indigenous languages and cultures, warning that the loss of even one language or dialect would be a significant loss for the nation.
Shah said the Northeast is well-positioned to expand trade with Southeast Asian countries and the wider Indo-Pacific region, aided by improved connectivity and strategic infrastructure projects such as the Sabroom Land Port.
He also revealed that around 215 crops and products from the Northeast are potential candidates for Geographical Indication (GI) tags and urged states to establish dedicated task forces to expedite the process.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Governors and Chief Ministers of all northeastern states, senior government officials, and other dignitaries.