Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic clashes in May 2023 between the Meitei majority and the Kuki community, a conflict that has claimed around 260 lives and displaced tens of thousands. During the visit, he urged peace and pledged renewed government support for reconstruction and dialogue.
In Churachandpur, a town dominated by the Kuki population, Modi appealed to communities to “take the path of peace,” emphasizing that the government stands with all people of Manipur. He visited displaced families in relief camps and promised that 7,000 new homes would be built for those forced from their homes.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated development projects worth nearly US$960 million, including infrastructure improvements—highways, housing, roads, and public buildings—in both Churachandpur and Imphal. His speeches in both the hill regions and the valley underscored the need to bridge divisions, especially between the hilly areas traditionally associated with the Kuki tribes and the valley dominated by Meitei communities.
Manipur has been under direct federal administration since February 2025, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid accusations of bias and escalating tensions. Modi’s visit is part of a broader outreach that includes Assam and Bihar, aimed at restoring stability, confidence, and inclusive development in the region.
Observers see the visit as both political and symbolic—an acknowledgment of the state’s prolonged suffering, and a signal that the central government is stepping in with more direct measures. Key challenges remain: rebuilding trust, ensuring that relief efforts reach all communities equally, and preventing further escalation.
As Manipur begins to recover from deep divisions and large-scale displacement, the success of Modi’s promises will depend on implementation—housing, infrastructure, dialogue, and equitable treatment of all affected communities.