- NEW DELHI — Various
Union Ministers on Friday said that India’s northeastern region is witnessing
rapid growth and is on track to become one of the country’s major economic
hubs.
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- Speaking exclusively to IANS on the sidelines of the Rising
North East Investor Summit in the national capital, Union Parliamentary and
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju highlighted the government's focused
development efforts in the region, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
vision.
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- "The government is concentrating on infrastructure,
tourism, hydropower, and other key sectors in the Northeast. This focused
approach is driving accelerated growth across all areas," Rijiju, who
hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said.
Also read: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio showcases Northeast’s textile legacy, calls for investment in Nagaland
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- He emphasised the significance of the Summit, calling it a
crucial step toward transforming the region into a leading economic zone.
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- Addressing concerns about the Northeast’s perceived
remoteness from Delhi, the minister dismissed the notion as outdated.
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- "Thanks to the government’s Act East policy, the
Northeast is no longer isolated. It has now become India’s gateway to Southeast
Asian countries,” he said.
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- He added that the region is advancing swiftly across
multiple sectors, including trade, culture, and tourism.
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- Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh also praised the Modi
government’s initiatives in connecting the Northeast with the rest of the
country through improved railway, highway, and waterway networks.
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- "Handloom and handicrafts are deeply rooted in the DNA
of the Northeast and are generating significant employment opportunities,"
he said.
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- Singh also noted that no previous government had ever
organised an investor summit for the Northeast.
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- "This initiative reflects PM Modi's commitment to
boosting investments in the region. The Northeast is not only becoming a
gateway of trade but also a gateway of development," he said.
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- Echoing this sentiment, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio
called the Rising North East Summit a positive and timely move.
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- "This initiative has been made possible due to Prime
Minister Modi’s vision and support," he said.
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- On employment, Rio shared that his government is working on
a plan to generate employment for 500,000 youths in Nagaland by 2030.
