Shillong, June 4: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Thursday chaired the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, bringing together Governors, Chief Ministers and senior officials from all eight Northeastern states to discuss the region’s development priorities.
Addressing the session, Shah said the Northeast has undergone a major transformation over the past 12 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated that peace and stability have returned to the region through more than 12 peace accords, while over 10,800 former insurgents have joined the mainstream. He added that improved rail, road and air connectivity has significantly strengthened links between the Northeast and the rest of the country.
Shah said the Centre’s “Act East”, “Act First” and “Act Fast” policies have helped transform the Northeast from a region once associated with conflict into a hub of opportunities, investment and growth. He stressed the need to preserve the region’s rich cultural diversity, which includes more than 200 tribal communities and nearly 200 languages and dialects.
The Home Minister urged all Northeastern states to fully implement the recommendations of the High-Level Task Force on development, prosperity and cultural preservation. He also called on Chief Ministers and Governors to regularly review the Single Window Clearance System to make the Northeast a more attractive destination for investors.
Highlighting economic opportunities, Shah said the Northeast has attracted investment proposals worth around ₹4.25 lakh crore and stressed the importance of developing multimodal logistics hubs, strengthening infrastructure and promoting industrial growth. He also pointed to major projects such as the semiconductor plant in Assam and the Namrup Ammonia-Urea Complex as catalysts for regional development.
On agriculture and allied sectors, Shah called for the Northeast to become self-reliant in fish, egg and milk production. He announced that the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Cooperation, will work to supply over 50,000 high-yielding dairy animals annually to the region from the next financial year.
The Home Minister also emphasized the potential of agarwood, bamboo-based industries, wellness products and essential oils, urging states to formulate dedicated strategies to develop the Northeast into a global production and export hub. He further suggested the creation of state-level task forces to promote Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products and accelerate initiatives such as the Organic Mission and “One District, One Tourist Destination.”
Shah highlighted the strategic importance of the Sabroom Land Port and customs centres in Meghalaya and Mizoram, saying they would strengthen trade ties with Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. He also urged states to intensify efforts against narcotics trafficking and transform the Drug-Free Northeast campaign into a mass movement.
Focusing on future growth sectors, Shah said the youth of the Northeast have strong potential in Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Machine Learning and Blockchain. He called for the development of the region as a major IT hub supported by improved education, skill development and digital infrastructure.
The plenary session also reviewed progress on key regional initiatives and discussed strategies to advance the North East Vision 2047, aimed at transforming the region into a leading centre of economic growth, connectivity, innovation and cultural prosperity.
