**Executive Summary**
On June 12, 2026, NITI Aayog convened an interaction with the Chief Ministers of all eight North-Eastern states to deliberate on development priorities, innovations, and regional challenges. The meeting focused on accelerating economic growth through state-specific visions, such as Meghalaya’s ‘Transformation Journey 2032’ and ‘Viksit Tripura,’ while addressing needs for infrastructure, connectivity, and policy flexibility. Key action items include NITI Aayog’s commitment to coordinate with central ministries to facilitate regional development and address the suggestions raised by state leadership.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Economic and Industrial Development**
* Emphasis on sectors with high growth potential, including hydropower in Arunachal Pradesh, mineral oil in Assam and Nagaland, and bamboo, rubber, and pharmaceuticals in Tripura.
* Advocacy for the continuation of the North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS) to attract investment and generate employment.
* Focus on strengthening the agricultural sector, specifically mentioning the Mizoram Ginger Mission and Nagaland’s coffee exports.
* **Infrastructure and Connectivity**
* Prioritization of enhanced air connectivity, rail services, and digital infrastructure to drive economic opportunities.
* Improvement of trade infrastructure through integrated check posts to facilitate global market access.
* Utilization of Externally Aided Projects to create critical assets and accelerate regional transformation.
* **Governance and Social Development**
* Implementation of innovative governance models like ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwar’ (Arunachal Pradesh) for efficient service delivery and grievance redressal.
* Focus on human development through skill building, capacity building, and improved healthcare and educational infrastructure.
* Need for robust monitoring mechanisms for rehabilitation, resettlement, and housing initiatives, particularly in Manipur.
* **Policy and Collaborative Frameworks**
* Requirement for policy frameworks tailored to the unique demographic and ecological realities of the North-Eastern Region.
* Calls for greater flexibility in Centrally Sponsored Schemes to address specific eligibility challenges faced by these states.
* Emphasis on inter-state collaboration in trade, environmental sustainability, and boundary-area operations.
**Impact Analysis**
**North-Eastern State Governments**
**Impact**
State governments are provided a platform to align their local development goals with national visions like 'Viksit Bharat' while highlighting specific regional constraints.
**Action Required**
Prepare and implement state-specific vision documents (e.g., ‘Viksit Tripura’), strengthen human resource capacity, and enhance inter-state cooperation for trade and environmental issues.
**NITI Aayog and Central Ministries**
**Impact**
These bodies act as facilitators to ensure that regional priorities are integrated into national policy and that administrative bottlenecks are removed.
**Action Required**
Work closely with concerned departments to provide financial support through the Finance Commission and introduce flexibility into Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
**Local Communities and Private Sector**
**Impact**
Increased focus on community-based tourism, self-help groups, and industrial schemes is expected to boost local livelihoods and private investment.
**Action Required**
Engage with state-led initiatives such as the community-based tourism models or specialized agricultural missions to drive grassroots economic growth.
Key Entities Referenced
NITI Aayog: The premier policy think tank of India that convened the interaction with Chief Ministers to coordinate development priorities, innovations, and challenges for the North-Eastern region.
North-Eastern States: The primary geographical scope of the policy interaction, comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS): A specific central scheme highlighted for its role in promoting industrial growth, attracting investments, and generating employment in the region.
15th Finance Commission: A key constitutional body whose financial recommendations and continued support are identified as essential for sustaining the developmental momentum of the states.
Transformation Journey 2032: A strategic policy vision document aimed at achieving comprehensive economic and human development goals for the region.
NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog holds Interaction with Chief Ministers
of North-Eastern States
CMs of all 8 North-Eastern States participated
Posted On: 12 JUN 2026 5:52PM by PIB Delhi
NITI Aayog today convened an Interaction with the Chief Ministers of the North-Eastern States.
Representatives from all eight States - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura participated and deliberated on development priorities, innovations and
challenges. The interaction by Shri Ashok Lahiri, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog; Members from NITI
Aayog and CEO, NITI Aayog saw participation of the Chief Secretaries and senior officers from North-
Eastern States. The deliberations witnessed constructive and outcome-oriented discussions.
Shri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, highlighted that the North East is undergoing a
significant transformation and emerging as a key engine of growth. Emphasising the State’s immense
potential, particularly in hydropower, he stressed the need to further strengthen the skills and capacity
building of its human resources. He also shared innovative governance initiatives being implemented in
the State such as Sarkar Aapke Dwar, Seva Aapke Dwar and Cabinet Aapke Dwar, aimed at ensuring
efficient service delivery and swift redressal of public grievances.
Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, opined that development must be balanced to avoid
regional disparities and ensure inclusive growth. He appreciated the historic tripartite MoU signed
yesterday between Government of India, Assam and Nagaland for facilitating mineral oil operations in the
Assam–Nagaland boundary areas, highlighting it as a model of cooperative development. Shri Sarma also
noted that Assam has emerged as the fastest-growing State in the country while making significant strides
in social development indicators. He stressed the importance of addressing regional requirements to
sustain and accelerate this progress.
During the interaction, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, emphasised that economic
growth must translate into meaningful human development. He shared Meghalaya’s vision in the form of
‘Transformation Journey 2032’ which aims to realise the goal of a Viksit Meghalaya.
Shri Sangma highlighted the significant role of Externally Aided Projects in creating critical assets and
accelerating development. He also advocated greater collaboration among North Eastern States in the
areas of trade, exports and environmental sustainability, while underscoring the need for policies tailored
to the unique requirements of the region.
Shri Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Mizoram, in his address highlighted the immense tourism potential of
the State and shared its successful community-based tourism model driven by self-help groups and local
communities. He noted that tourist footfall in Mizoram has increased manifold over the past four years.He also sought support for the Mizoram Ginger Mission and emphasised the need for greater flexibility in
Centrally Sponsored Schemes to address eligibility challenges often faced by North Eastern States.
Shri Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland, emphasised the importance of continuing the support
provided through the 15th Finance Commission to sustain the State’s development momentum. He
highlighted the potential for new infrastructure projects, expansion of economic activities, oil and gas
exploration and strengthening the agriculture sector. Shri Rio also stressed the need for improved transport
infrastructure and enhanced global market access for products such as Nagaland coffee. Reaffirming his
commitment to collaborative development, he expressed support for the shared vision of achieving a
Viksit Bharat.
Shri Y. Khemchand Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, highlighted the ongoing efforts associated with
rehabilitation and resettlement measures in the State. He stressed the importance of robust monitoring
mechanisms to ensure the timely implementation of reconstruction and housing initiatives, underscoring
the need for coordinated efforts to support affected communities and restore normalcy.
Shri Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim, discussed the critical role of tourism, connectivity
and digital infrastructure in driving the State’s development. He emphasised the need for commercially
viable air connectivity and improved digital infrastructure to enhance accessibility and economic
opportunities across the region. Shri Tamang also called for the continuation of the North East Industrial
Development Scheme (NEIDS) to promote industrial growth, attract investments and generate
employment. He underscored the importance of policy frameworks that reflect the unique demographic
and ecological realities of the North Eastern Region while ensuring sustainable development.
Dr. Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Tripura, highlighted the State’s geographical constraints, extensive
international border and skill gaps, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to accelerate economic
growth and investment. He observed that trade and connectivity infrastructure, including integrated check
posts, rail services and air connectivity need to be enhanced. Dr. Saha also underscored the potential of
sectors such as bamboo, rubber, textiles, pharmaceuticals, sports and tourism and called for greater
support towards skill development, innovation, value addition and export promotion. He further
emphasized the need for enhanced healthcare and educational infrastructure, while noting that Tripura is
among the first few States to prepare its Viksit Tripura vision document.
The discussions focussed on sharing of successful initiatives, policy innovations and impactful
development schemes across sectors such as agriculture, rural development, healthcare, education, skill
development, tourism, livelihoods, infrastructure etc.
In her concluding remarks, Ms. Joram Aniya, Member NITI Aayog thanked everyone for their
participation and for sharing the progress, achievements and developmental priorities of their respective
states. She noted the issues and suggestions raised during the interaction and stated that NITI Aayog
would continue to work closely with the concerned ministries and departments of Government of India to
facilitate the development of the North-Eastern states.
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