M Chuba Ao
The touchstone of any success ultimately rests with the man in the street. The common man decides everything and more so in a vibrant democracy like ours. Self-Dependence or as we know commonly - Atmanirbhar - is a key milestone.
It's true, the Indian economy has weathered the challenges from time to time. The latest problem is from the US-Iran War. But the government of Narendra Modi has handled it well. Ever since it came to power first in 2014; the NDA regime has notched up success in construction of roads and highways and in power sector.
I might have said this earlier also. The centre has invested heavily on roads, bridges and railways and in aviation sector. However, I believe the states need to do more to tap all the potentials. In recent years, the state of Assam has done pretty well. In the process; I am sure all other north eastern states now 'feel' a challenge to deliver in areas where it has invested a lot and where each state has their own potentials.
Indian states are the primary engines of grassroots development and economic implementation. Through cooperative and competitive federalism, they tailor national policies to local contexts—managing critical sectors like agriculture, law and order, and public health.
A welfare state should have its own policies -- like revenue generated programmes. The issues of unemployment should be addressed at the local level.
State governments should take up certain policy that it should not be a burden.
This decentralization enables regions to customize their growth and public welfare strategies. Let us look into some basic technicalities.
Eight states account for more than 60 per cent of the nation's economic activity. Andhra Pradesh, the capital New Delhi and surrounding region, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
On the other hand, five states account for 70 per cent of India's exports. They are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana – in that order.
The eastern India and the northeast are far off. As stated above, Assam is changing the scenario and now a lot would also depend on West Bengal as the BJP government is now running the show.
As central-funds-depended states; the northeastern states will have to pull up sleeves and try improve the situation.
Nagaland has its own challenges. But the state 'balances' rapid infrastructure progress with ecological preservation.
India’s development strategy in the North-East focuses heavily on infrastructure, railway integration, and cross-border connectivity across all eight states under the North Eastern Council. Significant projects are transforming the region's historical remoteness into a key driver of economic growth.
The North East states under Modi government are now transitioning from isolated regions into critical drivers of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
Framed under the Ashtalakshmi (eight sister states) and Act East policies, this journey is fueled by massive infrastructure, localized economic development, cross-border connectivity, and integration into national value chains.
Hence, we in the BJP often take pride in mentioning that the last 12 years is a significant journey and milestone - put together. But we may fail in our duties of we do not point out at the need for attaining self-dependence. Financial support from New Delhi is always a matter of right and privilege. But now it is the responsibility of the north eastern states too.
Given their proximity to international borders (Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh), these states have to help manage border-as-a-gateway policies, maintain the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to monitor visitor entry, and handle inter-state border disputes.
Nevertheless, these states will have to evolve some new methodologies. They must collaborate on collective socioeconomic planning and resource sharing such as water, land, and energy.
And in doing so, the union Home Ministry-run North Eastern Council (NEC) can play a positive role. The NE region is the powerhouse of India’s energy transition. Its massive, untapped hydropower potential is essential for meeting India's net-zero commitments and ensuring regional energy security.
Major projects currently in development include the Subansiri Lower (2000 MW), Dibang Multi-Purpose Project (2880 MW), and Teesta Stage VI (500 MW).
These projects are instrumental in powering the local economy and feeding the national grid. The Northeast India can operate as a critical testing ground and operational gateway for India’s digital diplomacy, specifically in deploying digital public infrastructure to deepen sub-regional financial networks.
Transitioning border trades onto secure, real-time electronic platforms can simplify transaction architecture, curbs illicit shadow economies, and bind our neighborhood commerce tightly to the Indian Rupee.
To wrap up, one may say - the slogan of the 21st century being 'Indian century' has a far greater potential than is acknowledged. It is more so in the context of north eastern states. It is truly 'the world at our feet' moment provided we are ready for it.
(M Chuba Ao is BJP national vice president. Views expressed are personal.)
