Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio highlighted the Northeast’s shift towards development under the Act East Policy, emphasizing the importance of enhanced cooperation between governments and investors to unleash the region’s potential. At the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA) 2026 in Shillong, Rio emphasized the abundant opportunities in connectivity, trade, and infrastructure development. The summit, convened by the Meghalaya government, gathered policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and representatives from all eight Northeastern states.
Expressing gratitude to Meghalaya for hosting the event, Rio lauded the summit as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration among stakeholders and expediting development projects in the region. He underlined the pivotal role of sustained investments in infrastructure and connectivity in integrating the Northeast with national and international markets. Rio stressed the necessity of forums like NEIINFRA to bring governments, industry leaders, and investors together to materialize development strategies.
Improved road, rail, air, and digital connectivity, Rio noted, would bolster economic integration among Northeastern states, opening up avenues in trade, tourism, logistics, and entrepreneurship. Highlighting the Northeast’s strategic location with international borders, Rio envisioned the region as a vital gateway linking India to Southeast Asia. The two-day summit, with over 1,500 delegates and 60 exhibitors, features sectoral sessions and CEO roundtables focusing on infrastructure, logistics, urban development, energy, and investment promotion.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, officials from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), industry representatives, and policymakers graced the inaugural ceremony. Rio emphasized the Northeast’s transition towards stability and growth, stressing that continued collaboration between the Centre and state governments would propel the region into a significant economic hub in the near future.
