New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday his government has a policy of "zero tolerance’’ against terrorism or unrest by Maoist elements.

"Be it terrorism or Maoist elements spreading unrest, our government follows a policy of zero tolerance,’’ the Prime Minister said while inaugurating the two-day Northeast Rising Summit here on Friday.

Reaffirming that peace and law and order are the most crucial factors for any region's development, PM Modi said the Northeast was once associated with blockades and conflict, which severely impacted opportunities for its youth. The government’s consistent efforts towards peace agreements had resulted in more than 10,000 young individuals abandoning arms to embrace peace during the past ten-eleven years.

This shift had unlocked new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities within the region, he said and added that the MUDRA scheme had provided thousands of crores in financial support to lakhs of youth in the Northeast. The rise of education institutes had helped young individuals develop skills for the future.

Describing the youth of the Northeast as not just internet users but emerging digital innovators, he said advancements like over 13,000 km of optical fiber expansion, 4G and 5G coverage, and growing opportunities in the technology sector had encouraged young entrepreneurs to launch major startups within the region, reinforcing the Northeast’s role as India’s digital gateway.

The two-day Summit will highlight India's Northeastern region as a land of opportunity to attract global and domestic investment there.

It will focus on tourism, agro-food processing, textiles, information technology, infrastructure, energy, entertainment and sports. It will include ministerial sessions, Business-to-Government sessions, Business-to-Business meetings, startups and policy initiatives by the state governments and central Ministries for investment promotion.

Describing the event as a "celebration of investment in the Northeast", he said Rising Northeast is "more than just an investors’ summit—it is a movement and a call to action”. The Prime Minister said the region is becoming a key destination for sectors like energy and semiconductors and is witnessing unprecedented progress. The government is determined to accelerate its growth story.

Northeast is a complete package for tourism, he said and added that the region is a perfect destination for its nature and organic life-style. Whether concerts, global conferences or destination weddings, Northeast is a perfect destination.

There was a time when the Northeast was merely called a Frontier Region. Today, it is emerging as the Front-Runner of Growth, he said, adding that his government went forward from ‘Look East’ to the ‘mantra of Act East'. "The government’s effort has been to make the ‘Heal in India mantra' a global mantra.’’

"For us, EAST means - Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform. This is the government’s policy for Eastern India,’’ the PM said. Pointing out that the Northeast is "the most diverse region of our diverse nation’’, he said that this diversity is its big strength.

Emphasising the critical role of Eastern India in achieving a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister underscored the Northeast as its most vital component. “For us, EAST is not just a direction but a vision—Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform—which defines the policy framework for the region”, he stated, highlighting that this approach has placed Eastern India, particularly the Northeast, at the center stage of India's growth trajectory.

He said the government's engagement with the region goes beyond policy measures, fostering a heartfelt connection with its people. “While the Northeast was once regarded merely as a frontier region, it is now emerging as a front-runner in India's growth story,” he added.

Underlining that robust infrastructure plays a key role in making the tourism sector attractive and instilling confidence among investors, he said well-developed roads, power infrastructure, and logistics networks constitute the backbone of any industry, facilitating seamless trade and economic growth.

The government has initiated an Infrastructure Revolution in the Northeast, he said and added the region is now emerging as a Land of Opportunities. Thousands of crores have been invested in enhancing connectivity including in projects like the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh and the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge in Assam. He highlighted key advancements in the past decade, including the construction of 11,000 km of highways, extensive new railway lines, a doubling of airport numbers, the development of waterways on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, and the installation of hundreds of mobile towers.

The Prime Minister highlighted that over the past decade, Rs 21,000 crore has been invested in the Northeast’s education sector.

Underscoring the government's commitment to facilitating the establishment of food processing units in the Northeast, the Prime Minister said while enhanced connectivity is already supporting this initiative, additional efforts were being made to develop mega food parks, expand cold storage networks and provide testing lab facilities.

He highlighted the launch of the Oil Palm Mission, recognising the Northeast’s soil and climate as highly suitable for palm oil cultivation.

He noted that beyond investment opportunities in plants and infrastructure, there is significant potential in manufacturing, including solar modules, cells, storage solutions, and research.

On the growing role of Assam in strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem, he said the first Made in India chip from a Northeast-based semiconductor plant would soon be introduced, signalling a major milestone for the region. This development is unlocking opportunities for cutting-edge technology and solidifying the Northeast’s position in India's high-tech industrial growth.

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