Nagaland officials with the Maltese delegation during a Country Partner Roundtable on December 11.
Hornbill Festival 2025 advances regional & international partnerships
Kohima, December 11 (MExN): Nagaland hosted the Malta Country Partner Roundtable on December 11, where both sides explored opportunities for collaboration in music, arts, education, enterprise, creative industries and youth engagement.
Chairing the roundtable, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha, welcomed the Maltese delegation and highlighted Nagaland’s cultural vibrancy, global music engagements, and its historical significance in the Battle of Kohima.
Malta’s High Commissioner to India, Reuben Gauci, drew parallels between Malta’s colonial past and Naga history, emphasising shared experiences that form a natural basis for cultural understanding. He described Malta as the smallest member of the European Union and noted longstanding people-to-people links, including Maltese families adopting children from Nagaland.
Gauci also pointed to Malta’s academic heritage, with the University of Malta dating back to the 18th century, and welcomed potential collaborations with Nagaland University.
Professor Norbert, part of the visiting delegation, commended the depth and originality of Naga writers, stating that their literary voice deserves greater international readership. He expressed strong willingness to facilitate academic exchanges, author residencies, and cultural collaborations between institutions in Malta and Nagaland.
The meeting also noted opportunities in hospitality sector employment, academic exchange through the University of Malta, and collaboration in emerging creative sectors.
High-level meeting with Arunachal Pradesh
Meanwhile, on December 10, the Governments of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh convened a high-level roundtable at Kisama to deepen collaboration in tourism, agriculture, enterprise development, youth and sports, music & arts, and cultural exchange. Ministers, advisors and senior officials from both states participated in the deliberations.
A key highlight of the meeting was the formal exchange of a Partnership Agreement, which Abu Metha described as “a milestone achieved.” He underscored that such institutionalised cooperation will amplify the collective strengths of the Northeast and unlock new avenues for shared growth.
During the discussions, Nagaland’s agriculture advisor Mhathung Yanthan highlighted opportunities for collaboration in smart agriculture, watershed and springshed development, crop research, and institutional capacity building, emphasising the importance of reciprocal knowledge-sharing between the two states.
Arunachal’s tourism minister Pasang Dorjee Sona noted that while the Northeast is rich in culture, creativity and talent, much of its potential remains under-recognised. He stressed the need for stronger regional cooperation and targeted policy support to enhance visibility, promote cultural industries, and create meaningful economic and youth-centric opportunities.
The Arunachal Pradesh Pavilion at Kisama continued to draw strong visitor interest, featuring GI-based handicrafts, textiles, wellness products, traditional beverages, and other artisanal items, reflecting rising demand for authentic indigenous products from the region.
The two back-to-back engagements reaffirm Nagaland’s commitment to positioning the state as a destination for regional partnership, international collaboration, economic progress, and cultural exchange through the Hornbill Festival platform, according to IDAN.
