Agartala, October 31, 2025: As India’s Northeast gains increasing significance under the Indo-Pacific Framework, Tripura is charting a new course for economic transformation, blending inclusive development with investment-driven growth.

Speaking at a regional dialogue on the growth potential of North East India, Kiran Gitte, Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Tripura, said the state is “entering a take-off stage” in its socio-economic journey. The event, titled “U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: Northeastern Dialogue,” was organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) at Hotel Polo Towers, Agartala, on Thursday.

“Tripura is embarking on a journey of transformation by focusing on converting investment interests and MoUs into tangible projects, expanding the service sector, and empowering women entrepreneurs to drive private investment,” Gitte said, outlining the state’s vision for sustainable growth.

He highlighted that Tripura had attracted investment proposals worth ₹15,000 crore during the North East Rising Investment Summit held in New Delhi earlier this year nearly half the size of the state’s annual budget. “Our priority now is to operationalize these proposals, translating them into ground-level projects that generate jobs and industrial capacity,” he added.

Highlighting Tripura’s readiness for rapid growth, Gitte noted that the state’s strong foundations from digital and transport connectivity to stable governance and consistent sectoral policies have positioned it well to attract investors. The government’s focus, he said, is on expanding key service sectors such as education, healthcare, and tourism to spur employment and strengthen private participation.

A major component of this growth strategy is inclusive, gender-responsive development. Gitte said the recently launched Tripura Women Entrepreneurship Policy aims to nurture women-led businesses and create “Crorepati Didis.” “Nearly 4.8 lakh women are members of self-help groups in Tripura. We want at least one-fourth of them to evolve into full-fledged entrepreneurs,” he said, adding that the government plans to help nearly one lakh women scale their enterprises into sustainable ventures.

The dialogue, part of an 18-month, U.S.-supported initiative to enhance awareness of the Indo-Pacific Framework across India’s Northeast — also featured experts from government, academia, and industry. It included three panel discussions on trade, connectivity, and the strategic importance of the region, along with four breakout sessions focused on regional collaboration and development.

Delivering the welcome address, Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President (Development Studies) at ORF and Project Director, described Tripura as “India’s bridge to Bangladesh and a gateway to Southeast Asia.” He emphasized that enhanced connectivity, cross-border trade, and youth-led entrepreneurship could transform Tripura into a regional growth hub.

Dr. Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, Senior Fellow at ORF and Project In-Charge, underlined Tripura’s strategic importance within the Indo-Pacific framework. “The Northeast, and particularly Tripura, plays a vital role in strengthening India’s regional connectivity and security architecture within the Bay of Bengal region,” she said.

With its mix of infrastructure readiness, investment opportunities, and policy focus on inclusion, Tripura’s evolving economic narrative signals a decisive shift toward becoming a key player in the Indo-Pacific growth corridor.