NITI Aayog holds Interaction with Chief Ministers of North-Eastern States

📌 Summary:

• NITI Aayog convened an interaction with Chief Ministers of all 8 North-Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura)
• Chaired by Vice Chairperson Shri Ashok Lahiri, with NITI Aayog Members, CEO, Chief Secretaries and senior officers
• Arunachal CM Pema Khandu: NE emerging as a growth engine; stressed hydropower potential and skill/capacity building; cited 'Sarkar/Seva/Cabinet Aapke Dwar' governance initiatives
• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma: praised the tripartite MoU (GoI–Assam–Nagaland) for mineral oil operations in Assam–Nagaland boundary areas as a model of cooperative development; Assam fastest-growing State
• Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma: shared 'Transformation Journey 2032' (Viksit Meghalaya); role of Externally Aided Projects; called for greater inter-State collaboration on trade, exports, sustainability
• Themes: balanced regional development, inclusive growth, tailored region-specific policies

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — cooperative federalism, NITI Aayog's role in Centre-State coordination, North-East development.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015; PM is ex-officio Chairperson
• 8 North-Eastern States

🔑 Key Term: Cooperative federalism — Centre and States working as partners.