China claims some parts of Northeast but the region is our heartbeat: Minister GK Reddy

Despite China's claim to some portions of the Northeast, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy declared in New Delhi that the region was India's "heartbeat" and that the government was committed to its development.

On Friday, Reddy spoke at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi to kick off a three-day Northeast festival.

The Union Minister also emphasised the Northeast's ongoing development projects.

While Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in Delhi to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Reddy, who holds the portfolios of Culture, Tourism, and Northeast Region Development, spoke.

“The Northeast is an important pillar of India…China claims that some parts of the North-East is theirs, but let them say anything. Northeast is our heartbeat…On behalf of the Central government, I want to assure all of you that we will work with commitment for the development of the Northeast,” he said.

Earlier in the event, Jawaharlal Nehru University vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit spoke about the historical importance of the region.

“The Northeast is our link to South-East Asia and our great civilization,” she said.

The three-day festival, called ‘Ishan Manthan’, would be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with cultural performances and stalls selling handicrafts and food at the IGNCA premises on Janpath, near Western Court.