Shillong, June 4: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma stated on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Act East Policy’ provides a robust and forward-looking framework for the overall development of the Northeast region. He emphasized the region’s immense potential to serve as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia.
Addressing the 73rd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, the Chief Minister highlighted the strategic importance of the region in becoming a key foundation for India’s future growth, enriched by abundant natural resources, strong human capital, and a unique cultural heritage.
The NEC plenary session was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Meghalaya State Convention Centre. Shah also serves as the chairperson of this 55-year-old regional planning body.
During the meeting, Lalduhoma formally presented the final report of the high-level task force on the Northeast Economic Corridor (NEEC) to the Home Minister. This task force was established under the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region.
In his address, the Chief Minister advocated for advancing connectivity through a comprehensive ‘One-Grid Approach,’ integrating roads, railways, air transport, waterways, power, telecommunications, and logistics into a coordinated development framework.
He noted that with the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project nearing completion in Myanmar, the region must be institutionally and socially prepared to seize emerging opportunities.
Lalduhoma urged the relevant ministries to support initiatives related to investment readiness, trade programs, skill development, entrepreneurship, infrastructure in border areas, logistics hubs, and community trust-building efforts.
Investment should be promoted through a group-based approach rather than focusing on individual projects, he added.
He pointed out the vast potential for inclusive development in sectors such as bamboo, agriculture and horticulture value chains, food processing, textiles, eco-tourism, green energy, and digital services. Tourism development should be pursued through a shared ‘Northeast Tourism Circuit,’ which would include integrated branding and facility arrangements.
He stated, “Through the Act East Policy and the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, the Northeast can emerge as a major logistics and trade route. The 10 percent Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) earmarked for the Northeast should be effectively implemented, and a dedicated coordination mechanism under the donor or NEC should be proposed to ensure better synergy and monitoring.”
Lalduhoma emphasized that the youth of the region are its most valuable resource, thus, greater focus should be placed on skill development, incubation, tourism and hospitality, logistics, agribusiness, green technology, and the startup ecosystem.
He suggested establishing Project Implementation Units (PIUs) in each state to expedite project approvals.
The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude for Mizoram being recognized as “India’s Ginger Capital” and for the support given to the ‘Mizoram Ginger USP Project.’
He stressed the importance of successfully implementing the proposed ‘Thenzawl Peace City,’ which has the potential to emerge as a major center for tourism, education, healthcare, sports, and agriculture-based development.
Referring to the high-level task force report on the Northeast Economic Corridor, the Chief Minister stated that its implementation would provide an integrated framework to strengthen inter-state connectivity, tourism, investment, trade, and logistics in the Northeast, ensuring shared prosperity for all states in the region.
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