Author: Ranjeet Luitel
India’s Northeast has long been perceived as a remote and neglected region, burdened by underdevelopment, ethnic conflicts, and difficult geography. However, in the past decade, the Narendra Modi-led government has significantly increased its focus on the region, making it a key pillar of its developmental agenda. Infrastructure development, regional integration, and targeted policies have transformed the Northeast into a region of strategic importance. But while progress is undeniable, deep-seated challenges in social development, poverty reduction, climate change, and ethnic tensions remain.
The recent India Today Conclave session featuring Kiren Rijiju (Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs) and Prem Singh Tamang (Chief Minister of Sikkim) shed light on these contrasting realities. While the speakers painted an optimistic picture of growth and opportunity, a deeper examination reveals that much work still needs to be done.
A New Political and Developmental Focus
One of the most significant shifts in the past decade has been the central government’s proactive engagement with the Northeast. Prime Minister Modi has visited the region more frequently than any of his predecessors, underscoring the government’s commitment. Rijiju remarked, “What we could not do in 65 years, Modi Ji did in 10 years.”
A crucial element of this approach has been the BJP’s strategy of partnering with regional parties, rather than imposing a top-down political model. This “mergers and acquisitions” strategy has helped the party consolidate its presence in the region while allowing local leadership to retain autonomy. By fostering these alliances, the BJP has managed to establish a stronghold in states where it previously had little influence.
Infrastructure Development: Laying the Foundation for Growth
One of the most tangible aspects of Northeast India’s transformation has been infrastructure development. Roads, bridges, railways, and digital connectivity have expanded at an unprecedented pace. Rijiju emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh alone has seen more roads built in the last decade than in the previous sixty years combined.
Sikkim, too, is on track to receive its first railway connection by 2027, a move that is expected to boost tourism and accessibility. Such projects are crucial for a region where difficult terrain has historically hindered economic growth. Rijiju framed this infrastructure push as the first step in unlocking the Northeast’s potential, stating, “Hard infrastructure will unleash the potential… Now the soft development… will come up.”
However, there is a critical question: Is infrastructure enough? While improved connectivity is essential, the benefits must be complemented by robust investments in education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Education and Healthcare: The Missing Links
Despite rapid physical development, the Northeast continues to struggle with social sector challenges. Education and healthcare services remain inadequate, with many young people forced to migrate to other parts of India for higher studies and better medical facilities. Rijiju acknowledged this gap, admitting that only one university from the region ranks in India’s top 100.
Healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and hilly areas, are underfunded and overstretched. While infrastructure has been prioritized, the lack of well-equipped hospitals, medical colleges, and skilled professionals means that many citizens remain underserved. Without significant improvement in these sectors, the full potential of infrastructure development cannot be realized.
Persistent Poverty and Inequality
Another troubling reality is that poverty levels in the Northeast remain high, despite the region producing some of the wealthiest political leaders in India. A striking statistic from the discussion revealed that four of the ten richest Chief Ministers in India are from the Northeast, yet the region ranks among the lowest in terms of human development indicators.
Rijiju attempted to downplay poverty concerns by arguing that traditional lifestyles in hill states provide self-sufficiency: “In the hills there is no poverty technically…everybody owns land, everybody has farm land, everybody has enough to eat.” However, this view ignores modern economic realities. Land ownership does not automatically translate into economic security, especially as climate change disrupts traditional farming practices.
Moreover, while fund utilization has improved, questions remain about whether resources are being directed effectively to uplift the most vulnerable communities. Economic growth must be inclusive, ensuring that tribal communities, women, and youth benefit from development initiatives.
The Climate Crisis: A Looming Threat
The Northeast’s fragile ecology makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change. Sikkim, for example, faces frequent landslides, flash floods, and environmental degradation, all of which threaten its infrastructure and tourism industry.
Recognizing these risks, Sikkim’s government has launched innovative initiatives like “Mero Rukh Mero Santati”, a program that encourages afforestation by planting trees for every newborn. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang emphasized efforts to restore lakes and enhance environmental awareness. However, these efforts must be scaled up across the region, with greater investment in sustainable development, climate-resilient infrastructure, and conservation.
Ethnic Conflict in Manipur: A Major Setback
The ethnic violence in Manipur casts a long shadow over the narrative of Northeast India’s progress. The government’s handling of the situation has been controversial, with critics questioning why Prime Minister Modi has not visited the state despite the severity of the crisis.
Rijiju defended the government’s approach, arguing that the conflict is between communities, not against the Indian state, and that peace requires dialogue and disarmament. However, the lack of a visible political intervention has fueled discontent, making it harder to restore normalcy. Manipur serves as a stark reminder that economic development alone cannot resolve deep-rooted ethnic and social tensions.
Sikkim: A Model for the Northeast?
Sikkim’s high per capita income, environmental consciousness, and focus on sustainable tourism position it as a potential model for other Northeastern states. With the highest per capita income in the country, surpassing even Delhi and Goa, Sikkim exemplifies how balanced development can create prosperity.
However, scaling Sikkim’s success across the entire Northeast is easier said than done. The region’s diversity means that each state faces unique challenges, requiring localized solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The past decade has undoubtedly brought significant progress to India’s Northeast, with infrastructure development, political engagement, and economic initiatives bringing new opportunities. Yet, the discussion at the India Today Conclave revealed that many challenges persist—education gaps, healthcare shortcomings, poverty, climate vulnerability, and ethnic tensions continue to hold the region back.
Going forward, development must be holistic. The government must balance its focus on infrastructure with investments in human capital—ensuring that the people of the Northeast, not just its roads and bridges, are empowered to shape their future. Additionally, political sensitivity and stronger governance mechanisms are needed to resolve conflicts like the Manipur crisis.
The Northeast’s transformation is a work in progress. If India truly wants to integrate the region into its growth story, development must be people-centric, inclusive, and sustainable. Only then will the full potential of this vibrant region be realized.
