Kohima, Dec 1 (NationPress) Six nations -- Austria, France, Ireland, Malta, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom -- have shown significant enthusiasm to partner with Nagaland in various sectors during this year's 10-day Hornbill Festival, officials reported on Monday.

The 26th edition of the renowned Hornbill Festival (December 1-10) commenced on Monday at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, approximately 12 km south of Kohima, the state capital.

A representative from the Nagaland government stated that the inaugural roundtable and networking event with the six partner nations took place at a hotel in Kohima on Sunday evening.

As per the official, Abu Metha, the state Chief Minister's advisor and chairman of IDAN (Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland), presided over the meeting, delivering a welcoming address.

Nagaland aims to enhance its global presence by hosting a significant diplomatic and economic engagement during the 10-day Hornbill Festival 2025.

The inaugural roundtable and networking session convened by IDAN gathered international representatives, government officials, and key industry players to facilitate high-level discussions.

This gathering follows the recent announcement by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who has identified six countries - Austria, France, Ireland, Malta, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom - as country partners for this year's festival, emphasizing the state’s growing focus on global engagement.

Arunachal Pradesh has been designated as the state partner, reinforcing Northeast India's collective vision for development and cooperative growth, as noted by the official.

With the participation of senior diplomats, including the Ambassadors from France, Ireland, Switzerland, and the High Commissioner of Malta, the roundtable marks a pivotal moment in Nagaland's outreach to the global community.

The presence of these diplomats reflects a rising interest among foreign missions to view Nagaland as an emerging hub for economic, cultural, and strategic partnerships in the Northeast. More than just a ceremonial kickoff, the roundtable is designed as a strategic forum for policy discussions, pinpointing specific opportunities for collaboration, fostering cross-border partnerships, and strengthening bilateral relations with the participating nations.

Participants from sectors such as tourism, trade, investment, innovation, technology, and cultural industries are anticipated to collaborate with Nagaland's government and local businesses to explore viable partnership models, joint ventures, and investment opportunities that can be advanced during and after the festival.

Key elements of engagement throughout the Hornbill Festival will include a series of roundtables, B2B meetings, and stakeholder sessions.

This roundtable indicates Nagaland's readiness to collaborate with country partners on practical investment opportunities and to position the state as a significant player in regional diplomacy, economic partnerships, and cultural engagement.

According to the official, the Hornbill Festival, already recognized as one of India's foremost cultural festivals, is progressively expanding to transform cultural exchanges into tangible economic and investment opportunities.

By connecting national and international partners with Nagaland's entrepreneurs and institutions, the engagements aim to serve as a platform where culture intersects with commerce, heritage aligns with innovation, and local aspirations merge with global opportunities.

As the state gears up for the festive season, the inaugural roundtable is poised to set the stage for a series of high-profile interactions, reinforcing Nagaland's vision of nurturing meaningful, long-lasting relationships with both international partners and neighboring states, the official concluded.

During the Hornbill Festival, country partners highlighted the significance and potential for collaboration with Nagaland in areas including education, sports, culture, health, digital sectors, food processing industries, infrastructure, and agriculture.