In a compelling call to action, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, today invited global and domestic investors to explore the unprecedented growth potential of Northeast India. 

Speaking at the Riding Northeast Investor Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Shri Sonowal emphasised that a “New Bharat is dawning with a resurgent Northeast at its heart.”

Addressing the summit’s thematic discussion topic “Unlocking Capital for NE Infrastructure,” Shri Sonowal highlighted the transformation of the Northeast Region (NER) over the last decade, attributing this resurgence to the sustained leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the Northeast has undergone an era-defining transformation. What was once perceived as remote and isolated is now rapidly becoming India’s gateway to Southeast Asia,” Shri Sonowal said. “The region is not just a part of India’s growth story—it is now a major chapter in it.”

Shri Sonowal pointed to a landmark figure that more than 700 visits by Cabinet Ministers to the Northeast in the past decade, as proof of the government’s sustained focus on the region’s development. Shri Sonowal stressed up on the government’s commitment to inclusive infrastructure, particularly in maritime and inland waterways, which are reshaping the economic landscape of the region.

“Inland waterways are one of the most promising frontiers of development for the Northeast,” Shri Sonowal said. “We now have more than 20 notified National Waterways in the region. The Jalvahak scheme is being promoted to catalyse multi-modal connectivity, create logistics hubs, and boost cargo movement. Infra development along these waterways will unlock new corridors of economic activity and generate large-scale employment.”

Highlighting India’s logistics advantage, the Union Minister noted that 90% of the country’s trade by volume and 70% by value moves through shipping, With Inland Waterways under the IBPR (Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route) and Sittwe Port in Myanmar will act as an emerging game changers in unfolding transformative transportation unlocking value.

In a nod to the region’s rich talent pool, Shri Sonowal detailed new initiatives in maritime skill development targeting youth from the Northeast, preparing them for careers in port operations, vessel management, and logistics. He also emphasised the immense potential for “Heal in India” medical tourism in the NER, leveraging the region’s natural serenity, wellness traditions, and rising healthcare infrastructure.

“The market potential of the Northeast is not limited to domestic consumption,” Shri Sonowal said. “It connects directly with ASEAN and BBIN nations, offering investors unparalleled access to over 600 million consumers in neighbouring economies.”

The summit witnessed participation from major domestic and international investors, development agencies, and policy leaders. Shri Sonowal’s address served as a clarion call to align investments with the government’s infrastructure thrust, particularly in sectors such as waterways, logistics, tourism, wellness and healthcare.

With its newfound connectivity, abundant natural resources, and youthful demographic, Northeast India is now poised to become a key driver of India’s growth story—ushering in a truly inclusive and integrated New Bharat.

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GDH/HR

(Release ID: 2130873)