This North East region of India comprises the adjoining seven sister states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, and the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The social construct of North East India has both historical and social realities. The contemporary North East India is comprised of heterogeneous groups and communities residing in the region. The region has over 220 ethnic groups and dialects. Although there are great ethnic, religious and cultural diversities within these states, they bear many similarities in their social, political and economic spheres.