In a significant push toward international collaboration and economic development, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) organized an Ambassadors’ Meet in New Delhi, drawing senior diplomatic representatives from over 80 countries. The event spotlighted the vast untapped potential of India’s North Eastern Region (NER), laying the foundation for strengthened diplomatic ties and investment-driven growth.
Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Jyotiraditya M Scindia, in his keynote address, emphasized the strategic economic and geopolitical importance of NER. He underscored the government’s commitment to transforming the region into a thriving hub of connectivity, trade, and innovation. Highlighting the distinct strengths of each of the eight northeastern states, the Minister invited foreign dignitaries to explore the opportunities presented by the region’s rich natural resources, cultural diversity, and its proximity to Southeast Asia, positioning NER as India’s gateway to the ASEAN bloc under the Act East Policy.
Minister of State, MDoNER, Dr Sukanta Majumdar echoed the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, portraying North East India as a crucial pillar in the building of a “Viksit Bharat.” He outlined the rapid infrastructure developments of the past decade, particularly in air, rail, and road connectivity, which have laid the groundwork for industrial expansion and foreign investment.
Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, through a video message, noted the region’s role in national development strategies, highlighting key projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit and its potential to link India to Southeast Asian markets.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu spoke about the strengths of the Northeast, while Secretary, MDoNER, Chanchal Kumar delivered a detailed presentation on sectoral investment opportunities spanning IT, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, energy, and more. Secretary (East), MEA, Periasamy Kumaran emphasized the region’s international borders as a strategic advantage for cross-border trade and collaboration.
The Ambassadors’ Meet, a precursor to the North East Investors Summit scheduled for May 23–24, 2025, received enthusiastic support from global diplomats, signaling a promising future for international partnerships in the region. (With inputs from PIB)
New Delhi, 16 April: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday underscored the growing strategic importance of northeast India and called on foreign envoys to engage more deeply with the region. Addressing a meeting of ambassadors virtually ahead of the North East Investors Summit 2025, organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), the minister urged them to “familiarise” themselves with the northeast and promote its strengths to their governments and industries.
Jaishankar said the region plays a central role in India’s key foreign policy initiatives such as Neighbourhood First, Act East, and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
“The northeast adjoins five of our neighbours on land, its boundaries are the interface between the Indian subcontinent and the ASEAN,” he said.
The minister highlighted that several bilateral and regional initiatives, including the Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan project, are closely linked to the northeast.
“In every sense, it is a hub, whose relevance will only grow with the passage of time,” he said, noting that the Union government has consistently prioritised the region’s development.
“We would like you to familiarise yourselves with its many qualities and to share that with your government and industries. And, at the same time, promote international cooperation with them in various domains,” he said.
Later, posting on X, Jaishankar wrote: “Highlighted the growing relevance of the Northeast – as a gateway to Southeast Asia, a tourism hub and a contributor to the global workplace. Confident that the upcoming North East Investors Summit will leverage the region’s many strengths and foster greater international cooperation.” (With inputs from PTI)