Integrating the Northeast

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, emphasized the northeast’s diversity and strategic importance in India’s development and Act East Policy. Despite major infrastructure gains and peace efforts, continuing ethnic violence, unresolved peace talks, border disputes, and environmental concerns underscore the region’s complex socio-political fabric.

Progress in Infrastructure and Governance:

• Transformational Connectivity Initiatives: Massive infrastructure investments like the Sela Tunnel (Arunachal Pradesh), Bhupen Hazarika Bridge (Assam), 11,000 km of new highways, expanded railway networks, and development of inland waterways on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers reflect a paradigm shift in physical integration of the region.
• Digital and Energy Infrastructure Expansion: Projects such as expanded mobile telephony, a 1,600-km Northeast Gas Grid, and increased airport connectivity aim to bridge digital divides and power the energy demands of industrial growth in the region.
• Economic Investments and Tourism Surge: Improved connectivity and stability have stimulated tourism and attracted high-profile investments such as the ?27,000-crore Tata Semiconductor Plant in Assam, reflecting new investor confidence in the region’s potential.

Political and Conflict Resolution Measures

• Peace Accords and Conflict Settlements: The Centre undertook several key peace efforts: the Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM (2015), Bodo Peace Accord, and Bru resettlement (2020). Though these initiatives reflect intent, their implementation remains incomplete and complex.
• Partial AFSPA Rollback: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was rolled back from large areas of the region, signalling a strategic shift from military control to civil engagement — especially in Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam.
• Inter-state Border Disputes: Long-standing boundary disputes, particularly involving Assam-Arunachal Pradesh and Assam-Meghalaya, have seen partial resolution, yet other border tensions continue to hinder long-term federal harmony and investment flows.

Challenges to Stability and Integration

• Manipur Ethnic Conflict: The Kuki-Meitei conflict, which erupted in May 2023, remains unresolved. It highlights the fragility of ethnic relations, poor conflict anticipation by the state, and the deep mistrust between communities and governance structures.
• Environmental Protests Against Hydel Projects: Large hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh, meant to meet growing energy needs, have sparked local opposition due to fear of displacement, ecological degradation, and the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
• Rising Communal and Immigration Tensions: The BJP’s rhetoric against immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar has aggravated social tensions, undermining both internal cohesion and India’s external objectives under the Act East Policy.

Practice Question:

Q. "The Northeast region of India is a strategic gateway to East Asia, but its internal vulnerabilities continue to challenge integration and growth." Discuss with reference to recent infrastructural, political, and socio-environmental developments.