Nagaland explores collaboration at roundtable with Indian Foreign Service Officers

DIMAPUR — Government of Nagaland, through the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), hosted a roundtable with visiting Indian Foreign Service Officers (IFS) at Hotel De Oriental Grand in Kohima on September 2.

The meeting was chaired by advisor to Chief Minister and Chairman of IDAN, Abu Metha, and attended by ministers, advisors, senior officials and stakeholders from multiple departments.

The special guests included High Commissioner of India to Maputo, Mozambique, Robert Shetkintong, and Consul General of India in Vancouver, Canada, R Masakui, who are on a state attachment as part of the mid-career training programme (MCTP-III) of the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.

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A DIPR report stated that Metha had highlighted Nagaland’s transformation from a conflict-driven narrative to a state of opportunities in culture, sports and tourism. He emphasised Nagaland’s role as a gateway in the Asian century, with new confidence among its youth, and called for leveraging Indian missions abroad to showcase Nagaland’s strengths.

Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, underlined Nagaland’s uniqueness with over 2,000 vibrant villages, its safe environment for women and the state’s aspiration for prosperity. He stressed the need to nurture Nagaland’s creative economy, strengthen employment opportunities and harness the state’s cultural and social capital for growth.

It stated that presentations by IDAN and Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) showcased Nagaland’s potential in music, arts, handloom, handicrafts, film and festivals such as the Hornbill Festival. TaFMA highlighted Nagaland’s growing global footprint through partnerships, training and international performances.

Report stated that discussions emphasised sports as a major driver of youth empowerment, wherein the chairman announced that Nagaland would host the World Belt Wrestling Championship in November 2025.

It stated that opportunities for collaboration in traditional sports, e-sports and exchange programmes for athletes and coaches were discussed.

R Masakui highlighted the importance of aligning Nagaland’s strengths with India’s Act East Policy, promoting educational exchanges, indigenous knowledge and branding of unique Naga products for global recognition, while Robert Shetkintong encouraged Nagaland to expand cultural diplomacy, tourism promotion and market linkages for artisans and entrepreneurs. He cited opportunities for Naga artistes and performers to participate in global cultural platforms.

It stated that legislators, senior officers and stakeholders shared insights on promoting private sector participation, enhancing education with global best practices, supporting handicrafts and handloom exports and expanding indigenous knowledge systems.

The roundtable concluded with a shared commitment to position Nagaland as a hub of the creative economy in Asia, driven by convergence of culture, sports, tourism and innovation.

Meanwhile, the Government of Nagaland has expressed gratitude to the visiting officers and expressed confidence that the insights and facilitation through Indian missions abroad would play a key role in connecting Nagaland to global opportunities.