Nagaland strengthened its international outreach on 30 November 2025 by hosting an Inaugural Roundtable and Networking Dinner with Country Partners at Hotel Vivor in Kohima, setting the stage for deeper diplomatic and economic collaboration ahead of the Hornbill Festival.
The event, organised by the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), brought together senior diplomats, government officials, and industry representatives for an evening of policy dialogue and partnership-building. The gathering showcased Nagaland’s growing focus on engaging global stakeholders to drive development across key sectors.
The roundtable followed the Chief Minister’s announcement naming Austria, France, Ireland, Malta, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom as official country partners for the 2025 Hornbill Festival. Arunachal Pradesh was also designated as the State Partner, reinforcing efforts to enhance regional cooperation within the North East. The inclusion of these partners reflects Nagaland’s broader strategy to expand global ties and create a platform for constructive engagement.
Diplomats including the Ambassadors of France, Ireland, Switzerland, and the High Commissioner of Malta attended the event, signalling a rising interest among foreign missions in pursuing economic, cultural, and strategic collaborations with the state. Their participation was widely viewed as a milestone in Nagaland’s international outreach and an indication of the state’s emerging role in regional diplomacy.
Structured as a policy-oriented forum, the roundtable encouraged dialogue between government agencies, local entrepreneurs, and international stakeholders. Representatives from sectors such as tourism, agriculture, technology, trade, food processing, and creative industries engaged in discussions aimed at developing practical models for partnerships, investment pipelines, and joint ventures. These engagements are expected to continue during the Hornbill Festival through follow-up business-to-business sessions and focused roundtables.
Nagaland positioned the gathering as an opportunity to convert cultural diplomacy into tangible outcomes by linking global partners with local enterprise. The Hornbill Festival, traditionally a cultural showcase, is increasingly being leveraged as a platform to drive economic growth, innovation, and long-term collaboration.
Country partners highlighted their interest in working with Nagaland across multiple sectors, noting significant potential for cooperation. As emphasised during the session, “Country Partners emphasized the importance and possibilities of collaborating and partnering with Nagaland in the areas of Education, Sports, Cultural, Health, Digital, Food Processing Industries, Infrastructure, Agriculture etc.”
The roundtable set a constructive tone for the days ahead, reinforcing Nagaland’s vision to foster durable international partnerships and advance its position as a hub for regional and global engagement.
