Northeast holds immense potential to propel India's growth, development in the region was weighed down previously, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the role of the northeastern states in shaping India’s future will be significant.

Addressing the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in Delhi on Friday, the Prime Minister said that the next few decades would see cities like Guwahati, Agartala, Imphal, and Itanagar rise as symbols of development and strength.

"I firmly believe that the future belongs to Eastern India, especially the Northeast," Modi said, adding that the 21st century was being increasingly regarded as "the century of the East."


The Prime Minister also spoke about the government's efforts to strengthen ties with the Northeast over the past decade.

"Union ministers made 700 visits to the Northeast in the last decade. We are connecting the region with the trinity of emotion, economy, and ecology," Modi said.

During his address, Modi also mentioned the neglect that the region has suffered in the past decades. Levelling allegations against previous governments, Modi claimed that the NDA-led Central government has been trying to bridge the gap between Delhi and the 'dil of Northeast India'.

"We have seen how development was weighed against the number of votes for a long time by previous governments. Northeastern states had fewer votes, fewer seats, and thus, the attention they deserved was often overlooked," said Modi.

The Prime Minister also took this opportunity to praise the vibrant culture and dynamic people of the Northeast.

"With its vibrant culture and dynamic people, the Northeast holds immense potential to propel India’s growth," Modi added.

Moreover, he said that events like the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav would play a crucial role in transforming the region into a central hub of progress and prosperity in the years to come.