Northeast to lead India-Thailand history celebration at Bangkok fest

Guwahati: India is all set to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties with Thailand in the Bangkok fest. The northeast region has been chosen to represent India.

As part of the Act East Policy, a delegation of 400 people will be arriving in the Thai capital. Chief ministers, ministers, bureaucrats, industrialists, entrepreneurs, singers, artists, authors, and journalists from the northeast are part of the team.

Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio tweeted that the festival is a great opportunity to showcase the region to the international community and create opportunities for the youth. "I hope it will have a positive impact and strengthen ties for mutual benefits."

The Tai culture of the northeast region is in focus this year. A large team of Tai Khamti and Tai Ahom communities will be arriving in Bangkok to represent the history, heritage, and culture of Tai communities.

The festival will start on July 29 with an inaugural session hosted by the Indian embassy. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Arunachal Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh, and Maharaja of Tripura Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debarma will be at the event.

The second edition of the North East India Festival will be on July 30 and 31. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 said the festival is being organisaed outside India to create awareness about India's northeast and Southeast Asia.

The festival will become a spot for exploring the shared history and exchanging trade, reported NDTV. Around 30 small and medium enterprises from the northeast region of India are set to showcase their products including crafts and tea.

India's Ambassador to Thailand Suchitra Durai is overseeing the festival.

A high-level delegation from the Thai government will also be at the inaugural ceremony.