Four Chief Ministers from the Northeast—Tripura’s Manik Saha, Meghalaya’s Conrad Sangma, Sikkim’s Prem Singh Tamang, and Nagaland’s Neiphiu Rio—joined Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in New Delhi on April 7, 2025, for the first meeting of the North East Investment Task Force. The high-level gathering focused on unlocking the economic potential of the region and accelerating investment-driven development in the eight northeastern states.
The meeting marked the beginning of a new approach to economic engagement in the Northeast. Jyotiraditya Scindia, who currently leads the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), chaired the session and emphasized the need for seamless coordination between the Centre and the states. He described the meeting as a milestone in India’s efforts to bring transformative growth to a region long seen as rich in resources but underutilized in terms of industrial and infrastructural investment.
Manik Saha outlined Tripura’s recent policy reforms and incentives aimed at attracting private investment. He highlighted the state’s growing connectivity through the Agartala-Akhaura rail link and the Maitri Setu bridge, which now enables faster trade movement between India and Bangladesh. Saha expressed confidence that these infrastructural strides would position Tripura as a key gateway to Southeast Asia.
Conrad Sangma spoke about Meghalaya’s efforts to boost sectors like tourism, agro-processing, and clean energy. He called for a greater push in skill development, so that local youth can take advantage of the jobs emerging from new investments. Sangma also stressed the importance of green development and urged investors to consider the Northeast as a model for sustainable growth.
Prem Singh Tamang presented Sikkim as a prime destination for organic farming and eco-tourism. He said the state offers both a clean environment and an investment-friendly administration. Tamang encouraged the task force to support smaller states like Sikkim through targeted funding that matches the scale of their unique potential.
Neiphiu Rio underlined the importance of improving access and logistics in Nagaland. He shared updates on road development and airport expansion in the state and appealed for a balanced model of growth that includes both large projects and community-driven enterprises. Rio also asked the task force to ensure that indigenous cultures and traditions are respected during the process of economic development.
Jyotiraditya Scindia praised the unified efforts of the four chief ministers and promised that the Centre would continue to act as an enabler and facilitator of investment. He announced plans to hold investor roundtables and global roadshows featuring representatives from northeastern states. He said the Ministry would soon launch a dedicated digital portal showcasing investable projects, sectoral highlights, and land availability in the region.
During the meeting, officials discussed a range of sectors that could bring long-term value to the Northeast. These included agri-tech, tourism, logistics, textiles, and information technology. Scindia said that beyond just financial investment, the focus must remain on capacity building and employment generation. He assured the states that the task force would function as a continuous engagement platform, not just a one-time consultation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to host a Northeast Investors’ Conclave later in 2025. All four chief ministers agreed to present state-specific pitches at the event and pledged to streamline procedures for prospective investors. They also urged the Centre to fast-track clearances for priority projects and ensure that local entrepreneurs receive equal attention alongside big-ticket investors.
Analysts view the formation of the North East Investment Task Force as a timely and necessary step. The region has seen growing interest from national and international players in recent years, but administrative delays and lack of visibility have hampered momentum. With direct involvement from chief ministers and ministerial oversight from Scindia, the Northeast could now see faster and more meaningful economic engagement.
As the session wrapped up, officials confirmed that the task force would meet quarterly to assess progress, review challenges, and fine-tune strategies. The leaders left the meeting with optimism, signaling a new era of partnership and purpose for the development of India’s northeastern frontier.
After the meeting, officials from the Ministry of DoNER stayed behind for closed-door consultations with senior bureaucrats from the four states. These extended discussions focused on identifying key hurdles in project implementation, including land acquisition issues, inter-state coordination, and the need for streamlined single-window clearance systems. The states agreed to appoint dedicated investment officers who would serve as points of contact for the task force and prospective investors.
The Ministry also proposed the creation of regional investment clusters tailored to each state’s strength. For Tripura, discussions leaned toward logistics and border trade. In Meghalaya, tourism circuits and adventure sports received attention. Sikkim’s strengths in wellness and organic agriculture formed the basis for cluster planning, while Nagaland was encouraged to build on its emerging bamboo and handicraft industries. These clusters aim to offer investors plug-and-play models backed by state infrastructure and policy incentives.
Union officials floated the idea of setting up a Northeast Investment Council involving key industrial bodies like CII, FICCI, and ASSOCHAM. This body would advise the task force on market trends, investment risks, and international best practices. Scindia welcomed the suggestion and assured that the council’s framework would be presented in the next meeting.
Meanwhile, a special emphasis was placed on branding and outreach. The DoNER Ministry plans to launch a campaign showcasing the Northeast not just as a destination for investment but also as a vibrant, youthful, and innovative region. Scindia stressed that this shift in perception was essential to move beyond stereotypical images and truly integrate the region into the national economic mainstream.
On the sidelines of the meeting, state delegations also held informal talks with potential private partners invited as observers. These early conversations focused on public-private partnerships in road development, cold chain infrastructure, and startup incubation hubs. While no formal announcements were made, sources confirmed that at least two business houses have expressed interest in conducting exploratory visits later this year.
In the coming weeks, each participating state will submit a detailed investment prospectus outlining specific projects, available land, skilled manpower, and logistical facilities. The Ministry of DoNER will compile these into a Northeast Investment Compendium to be released ahead of the upcoming Investors’ Conclave. Officials hope this structured approach will bridge the information gap and make the region more accessible to serious investors.