Tripura is advancing toward an economic take-off under the U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific. The state focuses on translating MoUs into projects, empowering women entrepreneurs, and boosting trade, connectivity, and service-sector growth for inclusive regional development.
Tripura is stepping into a transformative phase of economic growth, aligning itself with the broader objectives of the U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: North Eastern Dialogue. The state government has prioritized converting investment interests and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) into tangible projects while empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening the service sector to drive private investment and inclusive prosperity.
The regional dialogue, hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) under the Indo-Pacific initiative, took place at Hotel Polo Towers, Agartala, on October 2, 2025. The event marks an important milestone in the 18-month American government-funded project designed to increase awareness of the Indo-Pacific framework in India’s Northeast and enhance opportunities for India-U.S. cooperation in trade, connectivity, and regional development.
Tripura’s Economic Take-Off: From Vision to Action
Speaking at the event, Kiran Gitte, Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Tripura, declared that the state has reached a “take-off stage” in its socio-economic journey. “Tripura is ready for accelerated growth. We have built strong fundamentals — reliable internet, robust road and rail networks, stable governance, sound banking systems, and consistent policies across sectors like start-ups, tourism, entrepreneurship, and rubber,” he said.
Gitte emphasized that the state is now focusing on expanding its service sector, particularly education, healthcare, and tourism, to create jobs and stimulate private participation. The state’s goal is not just to attract investments but to ensure their grounding — turning MoUs into real, job-creating projects.
At the North East Rising Investment Summit held in New Delhi earlier this year, Tripura attracted investment proposals worth ₹15,000 crore — nearly half of its annual budget. “Our focus now is to implement these investments, create employment, build production capacity, and encourage sustained private participation,” Gitte added.
Empowering Women: From Self-Help to ‘Crorepati Didis’
Highlighting the state’s inclusive development agenda, Gitte outlined the Tripura Women Entrepreneurship Policy, which aims to transform women-led enterprises and empower women to become successful entrepreneurs. “Tripura has around 4.8 lakh women associated with self-help groups. Many have long been engaged in micro-activities. The time has come for at least one-fourth of them to evolve into full-fledged entrepreneurs,” he said.
Under this policy, the government envisions helping about one lakh women transition from small-scale operations to sustainable enterprises — creating ‘Crorepati Didis’ who will drive the local economy. The initiative reflects Tripura’s broader vision of gender-inclusive growth as a cornerstone of its economic transformation.
Tripura’s Strategic Position in the Indo-Pacific Vision
The event’s welcome address was delivered by Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President (Development Studies) at ORF and Project Director, who emphasized Tripura’s pivotal geographical and strategic role. “Tripura serves as a bridge between India and Bangladesh and a gateway to Southeast Asia. By enhancing cross-border trade, strengthening connectivity, and empowering youth through innovation, Tripura can emerge as a vibrant growth hub for the Northeast,” Ghosh said.
Introducing the broader project, Dr. Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, Senior Fellow at ORF and Project In-Charge, highlighted the Northeast’s significance within the Indo-Pacific strategy. “India’s Northeast, as a gateway to the Bay of Bengal, embodies the security-trade nexus central to the Indo-Pacific vision. Tripura holds the key to strengthening regional connectivity architecture,” she observed.
Dialogue on Trade, Connectivity, and Strategic Growth
The Tripura Chapter of the Indo-Pacific Dialogue featured three high-level panel discussions focusing on trade connectivity, economic prosperity, and the region’s strategic relevance. Experts from government, academia, business, media, and civil society shared insights on enhancing Northeast India’s global linkages and sustainable growth.
In addition, four breakout sessions provided in-depth exploration of policy priorities and local strategies needed to transform the region into a dynamic economic corridor aligned with Indo-Pacific ambitions.
As the dialogue concluded, participants expressed optimism that the U.S.-India collaboration would accelerate developmental outcomes across Northeast India, with Tripura emerging as a model for balanced, inclusive, and strategically aligned growth.
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The convergence of global frameworks, local entrepreneurship, and policy-driven empowerment positions Tripura as a powerful example of how regional economies can align with international strategies to achieve sustainable development and shared prosperity.
