Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent tour of India's Northeast was a high-stakes, two-pronged journey, meticulously calibrated to address a region fraught with both deep-seated ethnic conflict and intense political competition. The visit unfolded as a narrative in two distinct parts, a message of heartfelt reconciliation and focused development in Manipur, followed by a fierce political assault on the opposition in Assam. This carefully choreographed approach, combining emotional appeals with concrete policy announcements, showcased the government’s multifaceted strategy for the strategically vital region.
A message of reconciliation and rebuilding in Manipur
The core of Modi's Manipur visit was a direct and impassioned plea for peace. In speeches delivered in both Imphal and Chur Chandpur, he urged the people to build a bridge of harmony between the predominantly Meitei community in the valley and the Kuki-Zo tribes of the hills. His language was one of empathy and assurance, a clear attempt to restore trust in a state torn apart by ethnic violence. He insisted that dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding were the foundational prerequisites for any lasting peace, and that development could only follow the cessation of hostilities. In a powerful gesture, he placed Manipur at the centre of his vision for a developing India, calling the state "a jewel in India’s crown" and asserting that its growth was a prerequisite for the nation’s overall progress.
To substantiate his message of hope and reconstruction, the Prime Minister unveiled a series of ambitious infrastructure projects. He announced schemes worth an impressive £850mn, aimed at rebuilding the state’s fractured infrastructure and reigniting its economic engine. For the communities most impacted by the violence, he promised a targeted support package of nearly £300mn, along with the construction of 7,000 new homes for the displaced families. This focus on the last mile delivery was designed to provide tangible evidence of the central government’s commitment to the well-being of all communities. The visit also followed a key administrative step: the extension of the "Suspension of Operations" (SoO) agreement between the central government and two umbrella groups of armed Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF). This revised pact was a structured overture towards reconciliation, reaffirming Manipur’s territorial integrity while creating space for dialogue, dignity, and healing.
The roadshow of political demands
A central narrative of Modi's Manipur visit was his unexpected road journey. Heavy torrential rain grounded his helicopter, forcing a 65-km road trip through the heart of the state’s violence-torn areas. What began as a logistical hurdle became a powerful symbol of reconciliation. As his motorcade travelled from Imphal to Chur Chandpur, locals lined the rain-drenched streets, waving the Tricolour and cheering his convoy. For Modi, the experience was profoundly moving. He later told a crowd that it was a blessing from god that his helicopter did not fly, as it allowed him to witness a spontaneous "roadshow of reconciliation." He spoke of this moment as an unforgettable memory, a testament to the resilience of the Manipuri people. Before beginning his journey, he had visited relief camps to meet with displaced families, listening to their concerns and pledging his government’s long-term support. His visit came at a time when the ethnic violence, which erupted in May 2023, had already claimed the lives of some 260 people and displaced over 60,000 individuals, forcing them into 280 relief camps.
While the Prime Minister's visit was lauded by many, it was also marked by a significant political demand. In a direct appeal, 10 Kuki-Zo legislators, including seven from his own BJP, handed him a memorandum seeking the creation of a separate Union Territory with its own legislature. They argued that only political separation could ensure lasting peace and provide a sense of security, justice and belonging to our people. This direct plea highlighted the immense challenge of finding a political solution to the conflict. The visit also drew criticism from the opposition, who had repeatedly attacked Modi for his earlier absence during the peak of the violence. Modi's team, however, argued that his silence was a deliberate strategy, aimed at giving authorities time to restore law and order and prepare the ground for a visit focused on development and healing, not politics.
Shifting focus to political confrontation in Assam
The political tone shifted dramatically when Modi arrived in Assam. At a rally in the state's Darrang district, he launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of being defenders of infiltrators and anti-national forces. He branded the party as the architects of Assam’s ongoing demographic challenges and challenged them to compare their tenure with the BJP's decade-long effort to push back illegal Bangladeshi settlers. He harked back to the 1962 Chinese aggression, alleging that the then- Congress leadership had betrayed the people of Assam by leaving the region to fend for itself. Modi insisted that the scars of that neglect were still felt and that the Congress' soft approach towards infiltrators mirrored its alleged lack of support for the Indian Army. He claimed that the opposition party's agenda was often a mirror of Pakistan's falsehoods, a mindset that the nation won't forgive. Modi’s visit also highlighted the BJP-led government's efforts to combat the threat to Assam's demography. He stated that the initiative to reclaim forest and community land from illegal settlers was as crucial as identifying and pushing back infiltrators. He cited the example of Mangaldai, which he said had been transformed from a playground of illegal settlers during the Congress' rule into an agriculture hub for indigenous people.
He praised the stewardship of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, recounting how large tracks of land had been freed from encroachment. In a demonstration of his government's resolve, he pointed to a series of administrative changes, including the freezing of Aadhaar issuance to first-time adult applicants as part of a revised SOP to curb fraudulent enrolment. Beyond the political rhetoric, the Prime Minister's Assam visit also had a significant developmental dimension. Before leaving for Bengal, he inaugurated the world’s first second-generation bioethanol plant at Numaligarh Refinery, along with laying the foundation for a £723mn polypropylene plant. Modi framed these projects as part of India's journey towards self-reliance in meeting its growing energy demands. He also lauded Assam’s recent economic growth, claiming that the state was advancing with a growth rate of "nearly 13%." He contrasted this with the period when the state had lagged behind the rest of the country in various development indicators, crediting the success to the "joint efforts of the Union and state govts." In his words, the BJP was transforming Assam from a model of separatism, violence and disputes into one of development and heritage.
The dual strategy and its significance
The dual nature of the trip underscored a recurring theme in Modi’s politics: calibrated balance between empathy and assertive confrontation. In Manipur, he positioned himself above the fray, almost as a statesman seeking to heal wounds and restore dignity to a fractured society. In Assam, however, he returned to the language of electoral combat, sharpening divides to consolidate his base. For the BJP, this duality is not accidental, it reflects a wider electoral strategy to handle India’s diverse regions differently
while maintaining a unified national narrative. Political observers argue that the Northeast, long considered peripheral to India’s mainstream politics, has now moved centre stage. The outcome of Modi’s gambit, whether peace in Manipur can truly take root and whether aggressive politics in Assam will further cement BJP dominance will hold great importance for both regional stability and national security.
In the end, PM Modi’s Northeast tour was a masterclass in political messaging, skilfully weaving together two seemingly contradictory narratives. In Manipur, he adopted the role of a reconciler, offering emotional comfort and development promises to a traumatised state. He turned a logistical mishap into a powerful symbol of national unity and a path to healing. In Assam, he reverted to a familiar political style, using sharp accusations and historical grievances to attack his political rivals and strengthen his party's position ahead of an upcoming election. The visit demonstrates that the government's approach to the Northeast is a sophisticated blend of emotional appeals, targeted development, and a firm political stance, all aimed at fostering stability while securing a strong political foothold in a region of critical national importance.