NEW DELHI, May 15: The Rising North East Investor Summit officially kicked off with a grand launch on Wednesday, with Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, presenting a sweeping vision for the Northeast as the centrepiece of India’s development strategy.
Scheduled for May 23–24, 2025, in New Delhi, the “Rising North East” Summit is set to bring together the Chief Ministers of all eight Northeastern states, top Union ministers, key government officials, global business leaders, national and international investors, and representatives from multilateral and foreign institutions.
The summit will feature 11 high-impact thematic sessions along with sector-focused B2B and B2G meetings. It aims to serve as a comprehensive platform for policy dialogue, collaboration, and investment matchmaking. The sectors under focus include textiles, renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, IT and digital technologies, infrastructure, education, entrepreneurship, tourism, healthcare, logistics, entertainment, and international trade.
Speaking at the launch, Scindia stated, “The greatest potential for India’s future lies in its Northeast. The Rising North East Summit is not just an event—it is the gateway to India’s growth, and a statement that this region, once considered the periphery, is now at the very heart of the nation’s development story.”
He poetically referred to the eight Northeastern states as the “Ashta Lakshmi,” a symbol of wealth and promise, and praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for catalyzing a decade of major infrastructure growth and unprecedented investment in the region.
Scindia emphasized that the region is no longer waiting for progress but actively building it. With rich biodiversity, a youthful population, strategic proximity to Southeast Asia, and a vibrant cultural identity, the Northeast is now being positioned as a future global powerhouse.
The Union Minister highlighted that the central government provides annual budgetary support of ₹1 lakh crore to the region and noted the growing role of the private sector. “Ten years ago, this region was considered remote. Today, it stands as a symbol of India’s forward march toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi is slated to deliver the summit’s opening address, further underlining its importance at the highest level. The closing session will see participation from other senior Union ministers, Members of Parliament, diplomats, and major investors.
Roadmap to Investment and Growth
A detailed pre-summit outreach campaign led by DoNER Secretary Chanchal Kumar has already been conducted in major Indian metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati, and New Delhi. The campaign culminated in the Ambassadors’ Meet in New Delhi on April 15, which witnessed participation from over 75 countries. These efforts have yielded over ₹1 lakh crore in investment proposals signed via MOUs and Letters of Intent.
The summit’s focus sectors include tourism and hospitality, agro-food processing, textiles and handicrafts, healthcare, education and skill development, IT and ITeS, infrastructure, energy, entertainment, and sports.
A Vision of the Northeast as India’s New Story
The Ministry of DoNER aims to reposition the Northeast as a central pillar in India’s development journey, leveraging its unique geographical, ecological, and demographic advantages. Plans are underway to develop the region into a startup hub, a leader in niche exports like medicinal plants and bamboo, and a global tourism hotspot.
Scindia concluded his remarks with an impassioned message: “This is not just a summit. It’s a movement. A movement for prosperity, for progress, for pride. I invite all of you to witness the dawn of this new era—not just for the Northeast, but for all of India and beyond.”
