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Strategic, inclusive connectivity can transform Northeast India into a sustainable gateway to Southeast Asia.
This commentary is part of the ongoing U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: North Eastern Dialogue.
Connectivity in Northeast India is the backbone of regional transformation, empowering the local communities economically and helping in the political reimagination of the eastern frontier of the country. Road, air, and water infrastructures, cross-border trade routes, strategic corridors, and digital networks are parts of a broader framework of multimodal connectivity. Improved linkages across physical, digital, and social spaces have manifold growth effects. It facilitates smoother travel, which in turn enhances trade, tourism, industrial expansion, and the service sector. It is India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, as its advantageous location makes it strategically important for connectivity aspirations under the Act East policy. The geopolitical developments in Northeast India, its difficult terrain and complex geography, play a crucial role in shaping its connectivity with its neighbouring countries.
The Centre rolled out substantial infrastructure investments worth INR 1,34,200 crore, targeting rail, road, air, waterways, and digital connectivity.
The Northeast region has been historically isolated, with inadequate attempts to prioritise its development and integration. However, there have been numerous initiatives in recent years to strengthen regional integration, connectivity channels, and improve cross-border infrastructure. Significant among them are the India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS). In 2022, the Centre rolled out substantial infrastructure investments worth INR 1,34,200 crore, targeting rail, road, air, waterways, and digital connectivity.
Well-functioning surface linkages such as roads, rails, and waterways are foundational for the development of any region. The East-West Corridor, stretching from Silchar in Assam to Porbandar in Gujarat and passing through Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Guwahati, is designed to enhance connectivity, shorten travel time, and stimulate trade and economic growth between India’s eastern and western regions. However, more focused initiatives, such as a multimodal corridor connecting the Northeast’s major cities, can be a path-breaking initiative to boost trade within the region and promote internal industrial clustering. A first step in this direction is the recently approved Shillong-Silchar Corridor, a 166.8 km high-speed, greenfield highway connecting Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya with Panchgram in Assam.
Northeast India is renowned for its diverse ethnic identities, vibrant culture, rich biodiversity, organic farming, and unique indigenous products. Establishing a green corridor focused on eco-tourism and indigenous goods in the region can promote sustainable development by integrating ecological tourism, cultural heritage, and local entrepreneurship. Designed with minimal environmental impact, this corridor will certainly encourage low-carbon travel and community-based tourism, aligning economic growth with ecological conservation.
However, building railway infrastructure is challenging in the Northeast due to its difficult terrain. Prioritising improvements in air connectivity will be a more feasible alternative. However, modernising airports and other infrastructures will not solve the problem. This is because demand-driven strategies are highly crucial for making air connectivity viable in North-East India. Introducing airlines owned by state governments for this specific region may be a solution to make flying cost-effective and a viable means of transport.
Designed with minimal environmental impact, this corridor will certainly encourage low-carbon travel and community-based tourism, aligning economic growth with ecological conservation.
The Northeast region also holds strong potential for cargo transport via waterways, and recent government initiatives are set to unlock this potential. The development of national waterways on the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Barak for riverine connectivity is thus a key focus area of recent government initiatives. India is working to connect Northeast India with neighbouring countries through waterways, notably via the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project with Myanmar and the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade with Bangladesh. These connectivity corridors, along with multilateral initiatives such as the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, aim to integrate Northeast India with Southeast and East Asia economically and strategically. Upgrading the Trilateral Highway into a full-fledged economic corridor with SEZs, logistics parks, and industrial clusters will reap more benefits for the region.
As the Northeast shares international borders with China, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, it has a high potential for cultivating border trade. However, none of its international borders are fully utilised. Simplifying border trade agreements can help formalise informal trade in bordering villages, but it requires a collaborative diplomatic effort, local entrepreneurship, and undoubtedly better connectivity infrastructure.
Over the last few decades, the Indian government has expanded internet connectivity by providing financial support for 4G and 5G mobile networks, as well as for broadband connectivity. The recent Northeast Investor Summit 2025, held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, facilitated substantial investment from private investors for the connectivity needs of the Northeast region. Reliance Industries and Adani Groups made investment commitments worth INR 75,000 crore and INR 50,000 crore, respectively, to harness the growth potential of this region. Broadening the reach of 5G network to a large section of the population and implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in areas such as healthcare, education, business, and household are the thrusts of these investment projects. Effective implementation and execution of these technologies will significantly enhance the region’s digital connectivity.
The most crucial aspect of building connectivity projects in Northeast India is creating a balance between sustainability, economic development, and local relevance. Indigenous knowledge-based planning, balanced involvement of both locals and outside stakeholders, can be a constructive approach. The opinions of local communities need to be taken into consideration from the initial planning stages, and connectivity projects must target inclusive growth in the region. Politically, this approach will reinforce national integration and economically ensure equitable development. Therefore, developing connectivity needs in the region through a strategic, sensitive, and people-centric approach will be a holistic solution for Northeast India.
Chayanika Boruah is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at Dibrugarh University.
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