Numbers back story of a ‘rising Northeast', but Centre must address structural challenges

Indian Express

04-06-2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a compelling valedictory address at the Rising Northeast Investors Summit in New Delhi on May 23. He painted a vibrant picture of Northeast India as a cornerstone of the nation's development. His address, rich with optimism and vision, underscored the region's transformation from a historically neglected 'frontier' to a dynamic 'frontrunner' in India's growth narrative.
The Northeast, often stereotyped as a region marred by conflict and isolation, is now being reimagined as a hub of opportunity, diversity and connectivity. This shift is not just a policy pivot but a testament to India's evolving national identity.
The PM's speech highlighted the Northeast's unique diversity, describing it as 'the most diverse part of our diverse nation.' From its rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions to its strategic geopolitical position as India's gateway to Southeast Asia, the region holds immense potential. The PM emphasised sectors like tourism, agro-food processing, textiles, and information technology as key drivers of growth, signalling a shift from the region's past association with insurgency to one of opportunity and innovation.
The planned infrastructural development, such as the redevelopment of 103 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and the initiation of tunnel projects, reflects the government's commitment to connectivity and economic integration. These efforts align with the government's broader vision of transforming the Northeast into a hub for trade, tourism and technology, positioning it as a vital link in India's Act East Policy.
The narrative of a 'rising Northeast' is certainly compelling and is backed by statistics. Over the past decade, the region has seen significant investments in infrastructure, with projects worth over Rs 26,000 crore recently launched in states like Rajasthan and the Northeast. Improved connectivity — roads, railways, and digital infrastructure — has reduced the region's isolation, fostering economic activity and cultural exchange. The Northeast's youth, once deprived of opportunities due to conflict, are now being empowered through initiatives like the Khelo India Youth Games, highlighted by the government as a platform for showcasing talent. The region's natural beauty, from Sikkim's pristine landscapes to Meghalaya's eco-sustainability, is being leveraged to boost tourism, a sector with untapped potential to drive local economies.
Yet, this optimistic narrative invites scrutiny in the overall context of the challenges faced by the region. The modern history of the Northeast is shaped by the dynamics of frontier-related issues like migration and settlement, resource extraction, ethnic divisions clashing with state boundaries, and geopolitics. Owing to these characteristics, the political trajectory of the region has been different from the rest of the country. Ethnic militias and armed groups have flourished for decades, in tandem with democratic institutions. The region has had some of India's highest voter turnout rates, but special security laws since the 1950s have produced democratic challenges and bred alienation.
The government's push for infrastructure, while transformative, must address the region's environmental sustainability issues. Large-scale projects risk alienating local communities if not paired with inclusive policies that prioritise indigenous voices.
Moreover, the narrative of the Northeast as a 'frontrunner' raises questions about equitable growth. While urban centres like Guwahati and Shillong may benefit from investment summits, rural and remote areas often remain on the periphery. The digital divide, for instance, limits the reach of IT-driven growth in rural tribal areas.
The strategic importance of the Northeast cannot be overstated, especially in the context of India's geopolitical ambitions. The region's proximity to China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh makes it a critical buffer and a gateway for trade under the Act East Policy. However, this strategic positioning also brings security challenges, as seen in the region from time to time. In the interests of national security, militarisation in the region must be balanced with diplomacy and development to avoid alienating local populations, who have long felt caught between state and insurgent forces.
To make the Northeast a true frontrunner, the government must adopt a dual approach: Amplify its success stories while addressing structural challenges. Community-driven development, where local stakeholders have a say in projects, can ensure that growth is inclusive. Development initiatives need to be based on local aspirations. Most importantly, involving stakeholders at the grassroots level from the inception stages of development projects will ensure satisfaction and success. There cannot be a 'one-size-fits-all' approach for the entire region; the solutions have to be conditioned to the local flavour. Most crucial will be the pace and nature of development, and its acceptability to the local population. In order to achieve tangible outcomes, the intangibles are often traded off.
The Centre should not have any inhibitions in engaging the grassroots through the existing structure of governance that is guaranteed under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. And this engagement should cover the entire spectrum of issues like identity, ethnicity, migration and development, among other concerns. In a nutshell, it falls upon the government to ensure that no section in the region is left behind in the vision of a rising Northeast.
Neeraj Singh Manhas is special advisor for South Asia at the Parley Policy Initiative, Republic of Korea and a non-resident visiting senior scholar at the Centre for National Security Studies, MS Ramaiah University, Bengaluru. Colonel Shashank Ranjan is an Indian Army veteran, currently teaching at OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana