Northeast now central to India's growth story, says CM Himanta Sarma
Guwahati, June 17
The Northeast, once perceived as being on the fringes of the country's development discourse, has now emerged as a key driver of India's growth trajectory, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.
Sharing his vision for the region's future, CM Sarma said the Northeast has successfully transitioned from the margins to the mainstream of national development and is poised to play an even more significant role in the coming decade.
"The Northeast region, which was once in the fringes, is today in the mainstream of national developmental trajectory. We are committed to build an Assam which is a major contributor to national developmental priorities," the Chief Minister said in a post on social media platform X.
Highlighting the transformation witnessed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, CM Sarma asserted that the next decade must place the Northeast at the centre of India's growth architecture.
The Chief Minister accompanied his remarks with a graphic message stating that the region has been "integrated into India's development narrative" and that the coming years should position it at the core of the country's economic expansion.
The statement comes at a time when the Centre and the Assam government are pushing a series of large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects aimed at transforming the Northeast into a major economic hub.
Key initiatives include expansion of road, rail and air connectivity, the development of semiconductor and green energy projects, and increased investments in logistics and manufacturing sectors. Over the past few years, the Northeast has witnessed significant improvements in connectivity and infrastructure, with the government repeatedly emphasising the region's strategic importance as India's gateway to Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy.
Assam, in particular, has emerged as a focal point of investment-led growth, with projects such as the Tata semiconductor facility in Jagiroad, expansion of airports, river transport networks and industrial corridors expected to generate employment and strengthen the state's contribution to the national economy.
The Chief Minister's remarks underline the government's broader objective of ensuring that the Northeast evolves from a peripheral region into a central pillar of India's development agenda.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from Assam, I'm cautiously optimistic. The infrastructure push is visible—better roads, more flights, and the new semiconductor project are impressive. But we need to address local issues like flood management and unemployment. CM Sarma's vision is good, but implementation is key. The Northeast deserves sustained attention, not just photo ops.
Great to see the Northeast getting the spotlight it deserves. Infrastructure development is crucial, and the Act East Policy connecting to Southeast Asia makes perfect strategic sense. India needs to leverage the region's unique position. Hope these projects create jobs and don't just benefit big corporations. Looking forward to seeing the progress!
Honestly, this sounds like standard political spin. The Northeast has been promised "mainstream" development for decades, yet insurgency, poor connectivity, and lack of industry persist. CM Sarma talks about semiconductors and green energy, but what about the daily struggles of people in remote areas? Let's see real data on employment and poverty reduction before celebrating. Call me skeptical. 🤔
This is such an exciting development! The Northeast has rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and untapped potential. Positioning it as a gateway to Southeast Asia is brilliant. I visited Assam last year and saw new highways and railway projects—it's happening. Kudos to the government for focusing on inclusive growth. The next decade is going to be transformative for the region. 🌏
I appreciate the optimism, but we must not ignore the environmental and social costs. Large infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas like the Northeast need careful planning. Also, the
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