New Delhi is buzzing with anticipation as the ministry dedicated to the development of the North-eastern region aims to secure a substantial investment of at least ₹2.5 trillion ahead of the much-anticipated Rising Northeast Summit. Scheduled for May 23-24, this event is designed to bolster various industries across the eight North-eastern states, as articulated by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday.
Investment Landscape in Northeast India
As of now, the ministry has already received ₹1.12 trillion in proposed investments, with hopes to attract the remaining funds from prominent state-owned enterprises and leading private sector players such as Reliance, Tata Sons, Birla, Ambuja Neotia, ITC, and the Adani Group. The sectors identified for investment focus include:
- Energy
- Agriculture and allied industries
- Tourism and hospitality
- Infrastructure and logistics
- Textiles, handloom, and handicrafts
- Information Technology (IT) and IT-enabled Services (ITeS)
- Education and skill development
- Healthcare
- Entertainment and sports
Commitment to Investors
"We’re focused on guiding both investors and state governments to turn these commitments into tangible outcomes," Scindia stated during the event’s reveal for Rising Northeast 2025. He emphasized that after the summit, their responsibility will shift towards ensuring these investments materialize effectively.
Growth Potential in the Region
Scindia highlighted that the eight North-eastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura—have been experiencing growth rates that are double the national average over the last decade. This makes them an attractive option for potential investors.
The government has received a total of 732 investment proposals, amounting to ₹1.12 trillion. Here’s a breakdown of investments by state:
- Arunachal Pradesh: ₹24,338 crore (77 proposals)
- Assam: ₹38,685 crore (106 proposals)
- Manipur: ₹2,919 crore (39 proposals)
- Meghalaya: ₹14,753 crore (110 proposals)
- Mizoram: ₹5,111 crore (75 proposals)
- Nagaland: ₹8,671 crore (82 proposals)
- Sikkim: ₹6,747 crore (110 proposals)
- Tripura: ₹11,755 crore (132 proposals)
Building Partnerships
Discussions have been held with key industrialists and corporate groups, including Reliance, Tata Sons, Birla, Ambuja Neotia, ITC, and Adani Group. Chanchal Kumar, secretary of the ministry of development of North-eastern states, indicated that an additional ₹80,000 crore in investment commitments could emerge from the top 10 corporate groups leading up to the summit.
A Year of Preparation
The Rising Northeast Summit represents the culmination of a year-long initiative by the Ministry of Development of North-eastern Region (MDoNER) in collaboration with all eight states. The two-day event will take place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and will feature 11 ministerial sessions.
Engaging with International Investors
Scindia has proactively conducted nine roadshows across the nation to attract investments for the North-east. In an effort to engage international interests, he met with French industrialists in April, facilitated by the French ambassador. "There’s a growing interest from French investors in sectors like dairy, agriculture, aviation, and IT," Scindia noted, underscoring the potential for expanding foreign investment in the region.
This summit promises to be a significant step forward in transforming the North-eastern region into a thriving hub for investment and development, positioning it as a key player in India’s economic landscape.
