India will develop only if north-east develops says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India will develop only if the north-east develops, and added that developing the infrastructure in the north-east region is being given top priority by the government.

"India will develop only if north-east develops. This government is putting in maximum efforts to build infrastructure in the north-east," Modi said at an event to make the start of the birth centenary celebrations of Rani Gaidinliu, the legendary freedom fighter of Nagaland.

"Rani Maa's dream was India should progress and develop. These were the people who used to live and die for the nation's unity," Modi added.

He further said that following the resolution of India's border dispute with Bangladesh, connectivity with the north-east is set to become easier.

"The most important thing about solving the Bangladesh border dispute, which is to thebenefit of India, is that, now we have overcome the difficulties to connect with the north-east. Geographically, the north-east has come closer to us," Modi said.

Modi also said that the north-east was blessed with nature's bounty, and so, it has the potential of becoming the organic capital of India.

"Work is in progress in connecting the state capitals of the north-east with the railways. North-East has the potential to become the organic capital of the country," he said.

The prime minister expressed his hope of India touching new heights with this journey.

"I am hopeful that this new journey which has begun will be fruitful and the nation will touch new heights.