North East: Engine of Inclusive Growth

The Government has highlighted the North East as a beacon of peace and progress, with significant strides in connectivity, peace accords, industrial schemes, and social development over the past decade.

Peace and Security: Foundation for Development

• Decline in Insurgency: Sharp reduction in extremist incidents and casualties since 2014.
• Peace Accords: Framework Agreement with NSCN (IM) 2015, Bodo Accord 2020, Karbi-Anglong Accord 2021, Adivasi Assam Accord 2022, ULFA Accord 2023, among others.
• Boundary Resolutions: Assam-Meghalaya (2022), Assam-Arunachal (2023).
• AFSPA Rollback: Gradual reduction of AFSPA coverage, signalling improved law and order.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

• Industrial Promotion: Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme (UNNATI-2024) and PM-DevINE scheme (?6,600 crore, 2022–26).
• Transport:
  • Bogibeel Bridge (Assam, 2018).
  • Rail expansion: first passenger train trial run in Mizoram since independence.
  • 10 new Greenfield airports in the past decade.
  • Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry services on Brahmaputra.
• Hydropower Development: Scheme (?4,136 crore) to support 15,000 MW hydro projects (2024–2032).

Economic Development

• Externally Aided Projects (EAPs): 126 projects worth ?1.35 lakh crore (2017–2023).
• Investments: Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 attracted ?4.3 lakh crore in investment interest.
• Sectoral High-Level Task Forces: On corridors, tourism, agriculture, handicrafts, and sports.
• NEDFi’s Role: Financing industries, infrastructure, and microenterprises.

Agriculture and Rural Economy

• Organic Farming: Sikkim—first 100% organic State; scaling across NER.
• NERAMAC: Strengthening agri-value chains; expanded product basket to 78.
• GI Tagging: 13 Agri-Horti products of NER registered.
• FPOs and SHGs: 434 FPCs and 19,155 SHGs created under schemes like Van Dhan Vikas Yojana.
• Special Products: Bamboo (boosted by National Bamboo Mission), Agarwood (6-fold increase in export quota).

Social Development

• Healthcare: South Asia’s largest cancer care network in Assam (15 hospitals, 8 functional).
• Education: Mizoram declared first fully literate State (2025).
• SDG Index: First district-level SDG index prepared for 103 districts in NER (2021–22).

Culture, Heritage, and Tourism

• World Heritage Recognition: Moidams of Ahom Dynasty inscribed in 2024.
• Commemoration of Heroes: 400th birth anniversary of LachitBorphukan (2022).
• Handlooms & Handicrafts: NEHHDC initiatives like com and Eri Silk Spinning Plant (Assam).
• Tourism Development: One iconic site in each State identified; Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav (2024) showcased textiles, tourism, GI products.

Comprehensive Analysis

• Integration into Mainstream: Northeast is no longer a periphery but a focal point of India’s Act East Policy.
• Peace–Development Nexus: Security reforms and peace accords paved the way for growth.
• Connectivity as Catalyst: Roads, bridges, railways, and airports reduced isolation.
• Economic Diversification: From agriculture and bamboo to hydro and tourism, multiple growth drivers are emerging.
• Soft Power & Culture: Promotion of textiles, crafts, and heritage boosts global visibility.

Challenges

• Ethnic sensitivities and insurgency remnants.
• Infrastructure gaps in remote areas.
• Climate vulnerability (floods, landslides).
• Migration and unemployment among youth.

Way Forward

• Deepen Peace Accords – ensure rehabilitation of ex-insurgents, strengthen local governance.
• Balanced Industrialization – focus on sustainable energy, eco-tourism, agro-processing.
• Skill Development – align youth with new opportunities in IT, green economy, and services.
• Cross-Border Trade – leverage NER’s strategic location for trade with ASEAN under Act East Policy.
• Climate Resilience – integrate flood-control, sustainable forestry, and disaster preparedness.