Northeast is India’s Strategic and Digital Frontier: MoS Chandra Shekhar at Rising North East Investors Summit

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Shekhar, today declared that the Northeastern region of India is no longer the country’s periphery but its strategic and digital frontier—a space “where policy meets possibility, nature meets networks, and heritage meets hyper-connectivity.” Addressing a key session at the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, Dr. Shekhar emphasized the rapid digital transformation underway in the region and called for greater industry and academic collaboration to harness its full potential.

Speaking at the session titled “IT for Ashtalakshmi – Beyond the Bits and Bytes, into AI and 5G” at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Dr. Shekhar was joined by the Chief Minister of Tripura, Dr. Manik Saha, and the Chief Secretary of Manipur. The session underscored the government’s long-term vision to integrate the eight Northeastern states—collectively referred to as Ashtalakshmi—into the mainstream of India’s digital and economic growth.

Dr. Shekhar highlighted the transformational shift in the Northeast since 2014, attributing the progress to the central government’s focused development agenda and the dynamic leadership of Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). “The Act East Policy has repositioned the Northeast from the margins to the mainstream,” he said, “transforming it into a strategic asset for India’s future.”

Citing substantial progress in infrastructure, the Minister revealed that over ₹1.5 lakh crore has been invested in digital and physical connectivity, with ₹50,000 crore alone directed toward BharatNet and the Digital North East Vision. As a result, more than 90% of the Northeast now enjoys 4G connectivity, and 80% of rural households are linked through fiber optic networks.

Dr. Shekhar emphasized that beyond infrastructure, the region’s real strength lies in its people—particularly its digitally skilled youth. He pointed to premier institutions such as IIT Guwahati and NIT Silchar, which are nurturing cutting-edge talent, and startups like AgSpert that are already applying AI and drone technologies to revolutionize agriculture.

He asserted that national initiatives like Digital India, BharatNet, Startup India, and the National AI Strategy are empowering this talent pool and offering a launchpad for both local innovation and global collaboration. “This is not just development—it’s a movement where innovation meets intention,” he said.

Detailing practical applications of emerging technologies, Dr. Shekhar shared examples including a 5G-enabled telemedicine network in Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura’s use of the BHASHINI initiative for real-time AI translation across 22 languages to improve governance. He envisioned immersive AR experiences promoting tourism in Kaziranga and Sikkim, AI-driven preservation of over 200 indigenous languages, and global market access for traditional handicrafts through AI-powered e-commerce platforms.

Dr. Shekhar also outlined the role of AI and advanced surveillance in strengthening border security and generating new employment opportunities in defense technology. “These are not abstract dreams,” he said. “They are investible, impactful, and aligned with both national priorities and regional aspirations.”

Positioning the Northeast as India’s natural gateway to ASEAN’s $5 trillion digital economy, Dr. Shekhar pointed to the region’s 98% international border connectivity, abundant renewable energy sources, and ideal climate conditions for hosting green data centers as key advantages for investors.

Concluding his address with a powerful vision for the future, Dr. Chandra Shekhar remarked, “The tea gardens of Assam that once fueled the British Empire will now power AI algorithms. The strategic borders that once defined our security challenges will now become our competitive edge in defense tech. The future of India will rise not just from metros—but from every corner where there is vision, courage, and the will to transform dreams into reality.”