New Delhi, May 1: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted the remarkable transformation of the Northeast over the past decade. He stated that what was once viewed through the lens of insurgency, underdevelopment, and isolation is now emerging as a key driver in India’s development narrative.
Khandu credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for placing the Northeast at the center of the country’s development agenda. He noted that sustained policy focus, infrastructure expansion, and improved connectivity have reshaped the region’s economic and social landscape.
He emphasized that regular visits by central ministers and senior officials have played a crucial role in identifying grassroots issues and ensuring timely solutions, accelerating development in the region.
Addressing a gathering of policymakers, academics, and thinkers at the Isaac Centre for Public Policy (ICPP) Growth Conference 2026 in New Delhi, Khandu described Arunachal Pradesh as one of the most beautiful and strategically significant states in the country. It is not only the largest state in the Northeast but also the easternmost and northernmost state in the region.
Providing a brief historical perspective, the Chief Minister outlined the state’s development journey, which includes becoming a Union Territory from the Northeast Frontier Agency (NEFA) in 1972 and eventually attaining full statehood in 1987. He highlighted the state’s rich cultural diversity, which comprises 26 major tribes and over a hundred sub-tribes, noting that Hindi serves as a vital link language uniting various communities.
Emphasizing Arunachal Pradesh‘s vast natural and economic potential, Khandu referred to the state as “India’s powerhouse” in hydropower production. He shared that hydropower projects with a total capacity of approximately 19,000 megawatts are currently at various stages of development, with a long-term goal of achieving 40,000 megawatts by 2047, significantly contributing to the vision of a developed India.
Leave a Comment