Manipur CM Khemchand Singh left Imphal for New Delhi on Friday morning, September 18, and is likely to attend a two-day conference in the national capital, according to a BJP leader. Singh reportedly departed on an early morning flight.
The conference, titled “Financing India’s Journey towards Viksit Bharat”, is scheduled for September 18 and 19. The Union Finance Ministry is organising the meeting, which will bring together finance ministers and finance secretaries from states and Union Territories with legislatures.
Manipur CM Khemchand Singh expected at Viksit Bharat meeting
According to the BJP leader, the Manipur chief minister is likely to participate in the conference. However, reports on his departure described his attendance as expected rather than confirmed at the time he left Imphal.
The two-day meeting will focus on financing challenges linked to India’s development goals. It is also expected to provide a platform for discussions between the Centre and states on policy coordination and long-term economic priorities.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to attend the conference. Chief ministers, finance ministers and senior officials from several states are also expected to take part.
Key issues on the conference agenda
The conference will examine several areas connected with economic growth and public policy. These include macroeconomic developments, agricultural transformation and the energy transition, according to a report on the meeting.
Participants are also expected to discuss financing requirements, private investment, agricultural markets and green-energy infrastructure. Therefore, the conference is intended to connect national development priorities with the financial and policy concerns of individual states.
The discussions are part of broader efforts to improve coordination between the Centre and state governments. Academic experts and policymakers are also expected to contribute to discussions on financing and development.
Manipur CM Khemchand Singh held talks before Delhi visit
A day before leaving for Delhi, Manipur CM Khemchand Singh met Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal.
Singh said after the meeting that the two discussed development initiatives and ongoing projects concerning Manipur. The meeting came shortly before the chief minister’s scheduled trip to the national capital.
The interaction also comes as the state government continues to focus on development and efforts to improve normalcy in Manipur. In recent weeks, Singh has held meetings on security, infrastructure and other state issues.
Recent Delhi engagements by the Manipur CM
The latest visit is not Singh’s first recent engagement with central leaders in New Delhi. In August, he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to discuss issues concerning Manipur.
According to Akashvani, those discussions covered a range of state concerns. The Union Home Minister also discussed development-related matters and assured the chief minister of central support.
Singh has also taken part in political and administrative meetings in Delhi during his tenure. However, the September visit is linked, according to current reports, to the two-day financing conference rather than a separately announced political meeting.
Delhi conference could focus attention on state financing
The September 18–19 conference places state financing and development policy at the centre of discussions. For Manipur, such deliberations could provide an opportunity to engage with broader national policy discussions on infrastructure, investment and public finance.
However, no separate details have been publicly confirmed about meetings Singh may hold on the sidelines of the conference. His participation in the event itself was described as likely in reports available after his departure from Imphal.
Overall, Manipur CM Khemchand Singh has travelled to Delhi at a time when the Centre and states are discussing financing priorities for the next phase of development. The two-day meeting is expected to bring state-level concerns into a wider discussion on funding and the Viksit Bharat development agenda.
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