Shillong : The 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) commenced in Shillong on Thursday, bringing together the political leadership of the Northeast to deliberate on the region’s development priorities, connectivity initiatives and economic growth strategies.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who chairs the NEC, presided over the high-level meeting at the State Convention Centre in Shillong. The session was attended by chief ministers, governors and senior officials from all eight northeastern states.

The plenary meeting is focusing on a wide range of issues, including infrastructure development, regional connectivity, investment promotion, tourism, power, education and inter-state cooperation. The gathering is also expected to review the progress of ongoing projects and assess measures to accelerate growth across the Northeast.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared a photograph from the session on social media platform X, describing Amit Shah as the “Architect of Peace in modern India.”

“Team North East with the Architect of Peace in modern India, Adarniya Amit Shah ji, the Chairman of North Eastern Council. 73rd Plenary of NEC, Shillong,” Sarma wrote.

The meeting has brought together the chief ministers and governors of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim. Discussions are expected to centre on enhancing regional cooperation, improving connectivity networks and identifying new opportunities for economic expansion.

Officials said the council is likely to examine recommendations submitted by various sector-specific task forces constituted to explore growth prospects and address developmental challenges in the region. Key sectors under review include tourism, agriculture, sports, infrastructure and investment promotion.

The NEC plenary, held annually, serves as the apex policy-making forum for the Northeast, providing a platform for the Centre and state governments to jointly formulate development strategies and monitor the implementation of major projects.

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia underscored the collective vision for the region, posting on X: “United in our resolve to realise a stronger, more prosperous #RisingNortheast.”

Earlier, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the session would place special emphasis on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing recommendations put forward by sectoral task forces. He noted that the deliberations would help shape future development initiatives aimed at unlocking the Northeast’s economic and social potential.

Functioning under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), the NEC plays a pivotal role in planning, funding and coordinating projects designed to ensure balanced and sustainable development across the northeastern states.