Staff Reporter
Guwahati: Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and senior diplomatic representatives from over 80 countries expressed keen interest to explore the immense potential of the North Eastern Region (NER) and strengthen bilateral ties for sustainable development.
The diplomats were participating in the Ambassadors’ Meet organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meet was aimed at enhancing international cooperation and fostering global investment in India’s vibrant Northeast.
In his keynote address at the meeting, Minister of DoNER, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, emphasized the strategic importance of the region, both economically and geopolitically. The minister highlighted the Indian government’s commitment to transforming the North East into a hub of connectivity, trade, and innovation. He also underlined that each of the eight states of the Northeast embodies unique strengths, resources and opportunities, making the region an invaluable asset in India’s growth story. From its rich cultural diversity to its natural beauty and strategic location, the North Eastern Region holds immense potential to emerge as one of the country’s leading economic powerhouses. Its proximity to Southeast Asia also positions the NER as a gateway to the Southeast Asian countries, aligning with India’s Act East Policy. The DoNER Minister extended an invitation to the participating countries to explore opportunities in NER, capitalising on the region’s rich resources and craftsmanship.
Minister of State, MDoNER, Dr Sukanta Majumdar, in his address, highlighted the immense potential of the North Eastern region. Sharing the vision of Prime Minister Modi, he explained how northeastern states offer great opportunities for investment and building a “Viksit Bharat” together. He highlighted the major development initiatives in the infrastructure sector that have taken place in the North Eastern Region under the leadership of PM Modi during the past 10 years, including expanding air, road and rail connectivity, waterways, etc. He also underlined that the Prime Minister considered the Northeast as India’s Asthalakshmi, a key economic asset poised for rapid industrialization. He stated that with ample opportunities across multiple sectors, Northeast India welcomes investors to explore its vast potential and be part of its growth journey.
Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, spoke about the unique strengths of the Northeast Region, including Arunachal Pradesh.
Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, through a video message, highlighted that NER has been at the forefront of India’s development policies. He mentioned the importance of the Kaladan multi-modal transit project and NER’s potential to be the gateway for Southeast Asian markets.
Secretary, MDoNER, Chanchal Kumar, delivered a detailed presentation on the investment opportunities in NER and highlighted the opportunities available in the region across various sectors like IT & ITES, Healthcare, Agriculture and allied, Education & skill development, Sports & Entertainment, Tourism & hospitality, Infrastructure and logistics, Textiles, Handlooms and handicrafts, and Energy. He stated that with ample opportunities across multiple sectors, Northeast India welcomes investors to explore its vast potential and be part of its growth journey. He stated that MDoNER is committed to working closely with diplomatic missions, international development agencies, and global investors to channel resources and expertise toward projects that will boost employment, infrastructure, and human capital in the North Eastern Region.
The Ambassadors’ Meet was one of the pre-summit activities of the North East Investors Summit to be organized by MDoNER on May 23 and 24, 2025. The event received an overwhelming response, with ambassadors and diplomatic envoys expressing keen interest in partnering with Indian stakeholders to explore the possibilities offered by the North Eastern states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. The event not only fostered meaningful dialogue but also laid the groundwork for future partnerships, driving economic growth and sustainable development in the region.
The event was attended by senior officials of DoNER and governments of NE states.
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