Rio highlights Nagaland’s culture; calls for tourism, trade with Russia

Nagaland chief minister Dr Neiphiu Rio invited the people of Russia to visit Nagaland, experience its deep-rooted indigenous traditions, and witness the creativity of its artisans through its arts, crafts, and textiles.
Speaking as chief guest at the closing ceremony of Bharat Utsav 2025 at the historic Manezhnaya Square in Moscow on Sunday, Rio described Nagaland as “a land of breathtaking beauty and profound cultural richness.” He said Nagaland was a treasure trove of heritage and diversity.
He extended a personal invitation to the Moscow City Government to attend Nagaland’s renowned Hornbill Festival. Highlighted the enduring and strategic partnership between India and Russia, he claimed that the festival’s grand success had brought India and Russia closer, showcasing the “magic of Indian culture, music, dance, yoga, and cuisine.” The event featured special highlights from Nagaland and Gujarat, with vibrant cultural performances and exhibitions.
Rio heaped praises on the Indian Embassy in Moscow led by Ambassador Vinay Kumar for organising the festival in an exemplary manner, besides acknowledging the support of Moscow City Government.
Nagaland was featured prominently throughout Bharat Utsav 2025. The Department of Tourism under minister Temjen Imna Along promoted the state as a premier tourist destination through the Incredible India campaign. The delegation, which included the tourism director, conducted multimedia presentations, distributed literature, and held interactions to boost interest in travel to Nagaland.
Additionally, the Department of Industries & Commerce led by adviser Hekani Jakhalu showcased “Made in Nagaland” products at the dedicated Nagaland pavilion.
The exhibits featured traditional textiles, handicrafts, agricultural products, Nagaland Coffee and handloom products, attracting significant interest.
The cultural segment of the closing ceremony featured performances by artistes from Gujarat and Nagaland.
The 25-member Nagaland delegation curated by the Task Force for Music & Arts (TAFMA) under chairman Theja Meru enthralled audiences with folk music, traditional dances, fusion music, and a stirring rendition of a popular Russian song, receiving widespread appreciation.
Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation Vinay Kumar, who was the special guest of the evening, lauded the enthusiastic response from the people of Moscow, and acknowledged the efforts of all participating states.
He made special mention of Nagaland’s captivating performances and participation, which he said reflected the rich and diverse fabric of India.
He emphasised that Bharat Utsav 2025 reaffirmed the deep-rooted friendship between India and Russia and expressed confidence that the event would further strengthen bilateral ties and people-to-people connections.
As part of his itinerary, the chief minister met various representatives of the Indian community and diaspora, interacted with business representatives and addressed a joint press conference along with the Indian Ambassador.
Rio also participated in an exclusive interview and discussion with Russia Today television at the headquarters of the media organisation in Moscow, where he also met and interacted with their officials, before taking a tour of its headquarters. This was stated in a DIPR press release.