Delilah D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network- Guwahati

Guwahati, May 23: In a powerful message aimed at transforming perceptions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Northeastern region of India is no longer just a frontier but a frontrunner of progress and prosperity. He was addressing the inaugural session of the Rising North East Investors Summit, which kicked off with grandeur and high-profile participation.

Speaking at the summit, PM Modi emphasized that the diversity and richness of the Northeast is its greatest strength and reiterated his government’s commitment to driving the region’s economic rise. “The Northeast is witnessing unprecedented progress. We are determined to accelerate its growth story,” the Prime Minister said.

The two-day summit is witnessing participation from top industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani and Anil Agarwal, along with union ministers, chief ministers of Northeast states, diplomats, and business leaders from India and abroad.

For his government, PM Modi said, EAST stands for Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform. “There was a time when the Northeast was only called a frontier. Today, it’s a frontrunner of growth,” he said, adding that the region has come a long way from its troubled past marked by violence.

“Over 10,000 youth from the Northeast have given up violence in the last decade. This is a testament to the transformation taking place,” the PM noted. He also underlined the Centre’s zero tolerance policy towards terrorism and Naxalism.

The summit, officials say, is aimed at positioning the Northeast as a land of opportunity, bringing together policymakers, global and domestic investors, and entrepreneurs on one platform. It is the culmination of several pre-summit events such as roadshows, state-level roundtables, and ambassadorial meets.

Over the course of the two days, the summit will feature ministerial sessions, B2G (business-to-government) and B2B (business-to-business) meetings, startup showcases, and exhibitions on initiatives by central ministries and state governments to promote investments.

Key sectors being promoted include tourism and hospitality, agro-food processing, textiles, handloom and handicrafts, IT & ITeS, infrastructure, logistics, healthcare, education, skill development, energy, entertainment, and sports.

The Northeast, long considered a distant corner of the country, is now being highlighted as India’s rising investment hub, ready to welcome opportunity and prosperity.