Why do people outside NE say things like oh you look like my _____ friend

I am so tired of this.Every time I meet someone new outside of NE the first comment they usually make is oh you look exactly like my Nepali,Manipuri,Arunachali etc. friend(this is my personal experience) If it’s once might be coincidence but no it has gotten to a point where I get offended when someone says this cause it sounds blatantly racist to me.Are they implying we look the same cause that’s completely wrong.I understand that a lot of people are ignorant.Also the same old momo thukpa kitna tasty hota hai.This pisses me off so much but phir bhi I have to smile and act nice. Has this happened to anyone else too?