Irish delegation eyes broad partnership with Nagaland

In a significant diplomatic and cultural engagement on the sidelines of the Hornbill Festival, Ireland’s Ambassador to India Kevin Kelly, along with a high-level delegation, highlighted deepening Indo-Irish ties and expressed strong interest in forging collaborations with Nagaland across culture, sports, education and history. Addressing a media interaction at Hotel Vivor, Kohima on December 1, Kelly described Nagaland as “absolutely beautiful,” praising the people’s warmth and hospitality, which he likened to that of the Irish.
Attributing shared traditions, family values and community rituals, Kelly noted striking cultural similarities between Nagaland and Ireland, citing funerals and burials as an example. Having earlier visited Assam and Bhutan, he said Nagaland felt uniquely “exquisite,” with links that extend both culturally and historically.
The Ambassador highlighted Ireland’s enthusiasm as the country partner for Hornbill 2025. He said the state’s trade agency, which works to strengthen Ireland–India business ties, hopes to engage with Nagaland, inspired by the festival’s cultural richness. He also mentioned the Irish band Boinn, which performed at the opening ceremony.
Pointing to growing artistic connections, he drew attention to the 16-foot installation of Danu, an ancient Celtic goddess created by Bengali and Irish artists for Durga Puja in Kolkata and now displayed in Kohima. He described it as a shared symbol of female power and Irish-Indian creativity.
Kelly shared that Ireland’s Foreign Ministry has recently launched a sports diplomacy strategy to promote sports such as hurling, Gaelic football, cricket and football to build international goodwill. Given India’s passion for cricket, he saw potential for greater visibility. Comparing populations, he said Ireland—only twice the size of Nagaland—also “punches above its weight,” adding that relations may grow state-by-state as Ireland is a small nation.
On how Ireland learned about Nagaland, he said the state is well-known in Delhi, where “everyone wants to be friends with Nagas.” He praised the state government’s effective promotion of Hornbill, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s leadership, and the Naga choir in Delhi led by Neise Meruno. He also expressed interest in more collaborations and partnerships. “The whole idea is to work and use sport to promote our relationship in a friendly way,” he added.
Reflecting on political parallels, Kelly expressed hope that Nagaland, like Ireland, would eventually reach a political agreement through respectful dialogue, noting that solutions are “never black or white.”
Former professional footballer and coach Terry Phelan underscored the sporting dimension of the collaboration. Tasked with talent identification, he said he hoped to find promising footballers in Nagaland, describing the people as hardworking and congenial. Phelan is considering returning in January to scout talent, envisioning coaching children to succeed in sports while focusing on their education.
He stressed preparing athletes for careers after football, including sports science, refereeing and operations. He expressed interest in nurturing young talent, creating a football ecosystem, and exploring opportunities for Nagas to study or train professionally in Ireland. He said sports education in schools was essential for building a “footballing hub” in Nagaland, as sports bring communities together.
Historian and professor Jane Ohlmeyer highlighted political similarities between Ireland and Nagaland. Recalling Ireland’s history of self-determination, she drew parallels to Nagaland’s own aspirations. She pointed to Ireland’s struggle for independence and its recovery from conflict, expressing confidence that Nagaland could achieve a resolution through peaceful and democratic means.
“What you’re experiencing today, Ireland also has experienced… when we became independent just over 100 years ago, we were a very poor country. But it has to be done through peaceful means and by the ballot box and not by bullets and bombs,” she stated.
She expressed hope for lasting bonds through educational links, research partnerships and academic exchanges, encouraging Nagaland to preserve its organic community spirit.
The visiting delegation concluded by expressing commitment to deepening ties with Nagaland across culture, sport, history and education.