PM Modi: Northeast key to ASEAN trade

New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India aims to boost trade with ASEAN nations from $125 billion to over $200 billion, with the northeastern states playing a major role. Speaking at the Rising North East Investors Summit on Friday, he called the northeast a gateway to Southeast Asia.

He stressed the importance of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, which will link India to Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos through Myanmar. The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project will connect Kolkata Port with Sittwe Port in Myanmar, offering a new trade route through Mizoram.

The Prime Minister said this will shorten the travel distance between West Bengal and Mizoram, helping trade and industries grow. He noted that Guwahati, Imphal, and Agartala are being developed as major logistics hubs, and new Land Custom Stations in Meghalaya and Mizoram will expand global trade links.

Modi praised the region’s biodiversity and healthy lifestyle, calling it ideal for wellness. He invited investors to support the 'Heal in India' mission and turn the northeast into a wellness hub.

He also pointed out that energy and semiconductors are key sectors for growth. The government has approved large investments in hydropower and solar energy in the northeast. Manufacturing of solar modules, storage systems, and tech research will boost self-reliance and reduce imports.

Highlighting Assam’s role in technology, Modi announced that India’s first semiconductor chip made in the northeast will be launched soon. This signals a big step forward in making the region part of India’s tech growth and high-tech industry.