On Friday, May 23, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Northeast’s rapid development, calling it a new leader in India's growth story. Speaking at the 'Rising North East Investors Summit' in New Delhi, he emphasized the government’s commitment to fast-tracking the region’s progress. “The Northeast is undergoing unprecedented transformation, and we are committed to further accelerating this journey,” he said.

The summit, attended by Northeast state chief ministers, Union ministers, diplomats, bureaucrats, and leading industrialists including Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, and Anil Agarwal, aims to position the region as a key investment destination. Modi reiterated that the Northeast’s diversity is its greatest asset and is now viewed not just as a frontier, but as a frontrunner in national development.

He introduced a new vision for the region with the acronym EAST—Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform. Reflecting on the past, Modi noted that the region once associated with violence and unrest has seen a dramatic change. “Over 10,000 youth in the Northeast have renounced violence in the past decade,” he stated, reinforcing the government’s firm stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism and Naxalism.

The two-day summit is designed to attract both domestic and international investment by showcasing the Northeast's potential. It follows a series of pre-summit events including roadshows, state roundtables, ambassador meetings, and bilateral chamber discussions, jointly organized by the central and state governments.

Key investment focus areas include tourism and hospitality, agro-food processing, textiles, handloom and handicrafts, healthcare, education, IT and ITeS, logistics and infrastructure, energy, and sports and entertainment. The summit features ministerial dialogues, business matchmaking sessions, startup exhibitions, and showcases of state and central government initiatives aimed at boosting investment in the region.