National News 2025-09-04

4th Edition of North East India Festival 2025 to Light Up Singapore – India’s biggest event ever in Singapore

• Marking 60 years of India–Singapore diplomatic ties, the festival will highlight trade & tourism opportunities, cultural exchange, regional entrepreneurship, promote signature festivals, and introduce niche products to new markets.

• North East India Festival to Showcase Culture, Business, and Tourism in Singapore

• North East India Festival to Bring Regional Flair and Business Opportunities to Singapore

• North East India Festival to Strengthen Links with ASEAN Through Singapore Edition

Guwahati, 4 September, 2025: The North East India Festival (NEIF) will make its Singapore debut from 19 to 21 September, bringing the region’s cultural performances, trade opportunities, and tourism offerings to the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre. The three-day event will connect India’s North Eastern Region (NER) with ASEAN markets through exhibitions, live entertainment, and networking platforms.

In sync with Act East Vision of Honb’le PM of India, North East India Festival was Launched to strengthen ties between the Northeast and Southeast Asia, NEIF has previously drawn large audiences in Bangkok (2019, 2022) and Ho Chi Minh City (2023). Hon'ble PM of India Sjt Narendra Modi in his townhall address in Bangkok 2019 opined it as India's initiative to connect South East Asia through North East India.

This year’s edition marks the 60th anniversary of India–Singapore diplomatic relations and coincides with the India–ASEAN Year of Tourism. It will be a presentation of Indian High Commission, Ministry of External Affairs, and state governments across the Northeast and driven by organiser of North East Festival initiatives, Trend MMS with support from Assam Association, Singapore, North East India Association, Singapore.

The opening ceremony on 19 September will be attended by, Mr. Pema Khandu, CM, Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Conrad Sangma, CM, Meghalaya, State Ministers from Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Sikkim etc. Top functionaries of Govt of Singapore, industrialists, tour operators of Singapore, ASEAN embassies will attend the Inaugural session. Before the Inaugural Session an Investors Roundtable is organised by Singapore Business Forum where top industrialists of Singapore will have one to one with leaders of North East India. Minister of State for External Affairs of India Mr. Pabitra Margherita is expected to grace the closing Session of the Programme. Singpaore’s top Ministers will attend the festival in various days.

The main Exhibition will be during 20th and 21st September from 10 AM- 10 PM. Around 60 stalls will bring best of GI products, One district one product specially Agri-horti, food processing products of NER, curated handicraft exhibition by 10 award winning artisans, Assam tea showcase and tea tasting, Cuisines. Many Start up entrepreneurs from the region wil present in the Festival. Around 150 folk dancers will present Lion dance from Arunachal, Sattriya, Tiwa, Karbi etc dance from Assam, Manipuri dance, Hojagiri dance from Tripura, Warriors dance from Nagaland and many more. Special showcase by Indian cultural performers from SIFAS, Singapore will be an added attractions.

The evening will feature a spectacular fashion show showcasing some of India's finest designers and their silk products. Popular tourism destinations of exotic parts of India, festivals will be on display. Some of the top musical bands from Nagaland, Manipur, the heartthrob of NER, Bollywood singer Zubeen Garg, Tripura rapper Borkung Hrangkhal, Popular rock bands of Meghalaya such as Meba Offilia, Garo band Nokpante, Six Frets, talented Nagaland folk rock singer Seyie Chuzo, Parmeta Reang etc will perform.

. Entry is free. The Chief Organiser of the initiative Shyamkanu Mahanta informed that More than 400 people are travelling to be part of India's biggest programme in Singapore ever. Mr. Mahanta informed that B2B meet is attended by major tour operators of Singapore interacting with tour operators of North East. Trade Meet will be attended by prominent buyers of Singapore inreracting with entrepreneurs of North East. Two evenings of Spectacular Fashion will have talented designers of the NER including Bompi Riram, Sarleen Engtipi, Daniel Siyem, Iba Malai, Daisy Momin, Arbin Tonjam, T Hmar, Chimi etc.

Trade exhibits will include GI-certified teas, coffees, and spices; organic produce from Sikkim; textiles and handicrafts from Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh; and distinctive agricultural products from the region. The tourism pavilion will promote signature events such as the Hornbill Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, and Tawang Festival, along with adventure travel routes that remain off the beaten track.

Addressing the festival’s goals, Chief Organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta remarked, “Singapore offers a space where cultures interact, commerce thrives, and new ideas build traction. Through the North East India Festival, our goal is to give entrepreneurs, artists, and tourism promoters a platform that connects them directly with global audiences. Visitors will experience the traditions and creativity of our region while discovering avenues for investment and collaboration. Whether in agriculture, textiles, travel, or creative sectors, the potential for meaningful partnerships is strong. We want this festival to spark dialogue that leads to sustained engagement between the Northeast and ASEAN countries.”