Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the Northeast was earlier confronted with serious setbacks because of 'vote bank' politics. But now, all due to the efforts of the BJP-led government at the Centre in the last 11 years, the region has now become an important contributor to India's growth.
Modi initiated works worth Rs 9,000 crore in Mizoram while speaking at a public meeting virtually from Lengpui Airport near Aizawl, since heavy rains made it impossible for him to travel to the venue at Lammual Ground in the city center.
He underscored Mizoram's key position in the Centre's 'Act East' policy, saying that the Kaladan multimodal transit project and new railway lines would connect the state with Southeast Asia.
As he inaugurated the Bairabi-Sairang rail link that connects landlocked Mizoram to India's railway map, PM Modi referred to it as a historic day for the state because it would link Aizawl with bigger cities.
The PM further stated that the project, implemented amid difficult terrains and challenges, "would revolutionise people's lives in the state."
Increased connectivity will consolidate educational, cultural and economic relations between Northeast and make people employed and tourism more vibrant. Those who were left behind earlier are leading now, those who were marginalised then are mainstream today," Modi stated.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the roles played by Mizoram's citizens towards India in the freedom struggle and in nation-building.
He added that the National Sports Policy will open up new avenues for Mizoram's sportspersons, as the state has already produced several sportspersons.
Modi noted the Northeast is turning into an entrepreneurship hub, with 4,500 start-ups and 25 incubators operating in the region.
On new GST rates, he said the reforms "have brought down the tax on many items, which will make life easier for the masses.
The PM added that these changes have also made medicine for diseases like cancer cheap and lowered the cost of vehicles. "Medicines and insurance policies used to be heavily taxed under the Congress regime and medical expenses used to be high, but now these have become pocket friendly," he added.
He said that the country's economy expanded by 7.8 per cent during the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26, which was the highest among large economies of the world.
Talking about Operation Sindoor, Modi said that the soldiers of the country "taught a lesson to those sponsoring terror," and further said that 'Made in India' weapons were instrumental in the operation.
