Guwahati: The Northeast must shed its long-held image as a peripheral region and emerge as a central force in India’s growth story, driven by women-led enterprises, green economy opportunities, and cultural capital, said the former IAS officer Sanjeev Chopra, who addressed members of Young Indians (Yi), the youth arm of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in Guwahati on Saturday.
Speaking at the Yi Talks session titled “Ashtalakshmi: New Perspectives on Northeast India,” Chopra offered a sharp reframing of the region’s potential, calling on industry leaders and policymakers to adopt a strategic, sector-driven approach to unlock the Northeast’s economic promise.
“The term ‘Ashtalakshmi’ must be seen as an economic framework, not just a cultural symbol,” Chopra asserted. “Each state in the Northeast can become a specialized hub—whether in agri-value chains, creative industries, women-led businesses, or green enterprises. The time has come to stop treating the region as an afterthought and start building targeted business models around its strengths.”
Chopra underlined that the Northeast’s untapped potential—rooted in its diverse human capital, natural resources, and deeply embedded women-led economic systems remains under-leveraged by both the government and private sector.
He called for an urgent shift in business priorities to sectors like agri-tech, handicrafts, eco-tourism, and circular economy solutions, warning that without such focus, the region risks being left out of India’s next growth cycle.
“The Northeast is a goldmine of stories, skills, and ideas. But to unlock this, we need sustained investments, infrastructure support, and market linkages that align with the region’s unique identity,” Chopra said. “This is not about charity; it’s about strategic opportunity.”
The event concluded with a discussion on regional development challenges, leadership gaps, and the need for tailored policy frameworks. Industry insiders attending the session echoed Chopra’s call, emphasizing the importance of aligning investments with the Northeast’s distinct economic strengths.
ALSO READ: Assam Floods 2025: Widespread Devastation and Economic Impact
For India’s private sector, the Northeast is no longer a waiting room for development it is an untapped market with the potential to drive India’s next growth cycle. Unlocking this potential will require not just capital, but vision, policy innovation, and long-term commitment from both industry and government.
“The Northeast is not an appendage to India’s growth story it can lead it,” Chopra said.
“But this will require moving beyond lip service and investing in women, culture, sustainability, and innovation”, Chopra concluded.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
