Reported by Sandeep Sharma
Guwahati: Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said Arunachal Pradesh is emerging as a key driver of India’s future growth through infrastructure expansion, governance reforms and people-centric development, asserting that the Northeast has moved beyond its earlier image of isolation and neglect.
Addressing the ICPP Growth Conference 2026 at the Taj Mahal Hotel, organised by the Isaac Centre for Public Policy at Ashoka University, the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister outlined the state’s development trajectory before policymakers, academicians and public policy experts.
Describing Arunachal Pradesh as one of India’s most strategically important states, Khandu said its geographical location, cultural diversity and natural resources place it at the centre of the country’s long-term development vision.
He traced the state’s evolution from the days of the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) to becoming a Union Territory in 1972 and attaining statehood in 1987. He said Arunachal Pradesh is home to 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes, with Hindi serving as a common link language across communities.
Khandu said the Northeast had undergone significant transformation over the past decade.
“For years, the Northeast was seen through the prism of insurgency and neglect, but today it stands at the heart of India’s development vision,” he said.
The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing sustained national attention to the region, adding that regular visits by Union ministers and senior officials had helped accelerate development and address long-pending issues.
Projecting Arunachal Pradesh as a future energy hub, Khandu said hydropower projects with a combined capacity of nearly 19,000 MW are currently under development, with a long-term target of achieving 40,000 MW by 2047.
He also highlighted improvements in tourism, agriculture and horticulture, attributing the growth to better road connectivity and infrastructure development in remote and border areas.
On governance reforms, Khandu said measures taken in the Staff Selection Board and Public Service Commission had strengthened transparency in public recruitment.
“We have worked to ensure that merit alone decides opportunity, and that trust in governance is never compromised,” he said.
Referring to education reforms, Khandu said the state government was working towards full implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 by 2030. He said the rationalisation of over 600 non-viable schools was aimed at improving educational outcomes, particularly in underserved regions.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the expansion of higher education institutions and healthcare infrastructure, including new medical colleges, as part of efforts to strengthen human capital.
On environmental protection, he said Arunachal Pradesh was pursuing development alongside sustainability through policies aligned with India’s COP26 commitments, with emphasis on community participation in forest and biodiversity conservation.
Khandu also referred to grassroots outreach initiatives such as Seva Aapke Dwar and Sarkar Aapke Dwar, which aim to deliver government services to remote villages and improve last-mile connectivity.
“When we invest in people and create opportunities, we move forward together,” he said.
He further acknowledged initiatives such as the Vibrant Villages Programme, highway expansion and hydropower projects as important to strengthening border communities and enhancing Arunachal Pradesh’s role in national development.
Khandu also thanked Ashish Dhawan, founding chairperson of Ashoka University, for the invitation and recalled his long association with Arunachal Pradesh.