Nagaland-IFS Roundtable explores global ties

Government of Nagaland, through the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), convened a high-level Roundtable with visiting Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers at Hotel De Oriental Grand, Kohima on September 2, 2025. The meeting was chaired by advisor to Chief Minister and IDAN chairman, Abu Metha, and attended by ministers, advisors, senior officials and departmental stakeholders.
According to DIPR report, the visiting dignitaries included High Commissioner of India to Mozambique, Robert Shetkintong, and Consul General of India in Vancouver, R. Masakui.
Welcoming the delegation, Abu Metha underscored Nagaland’s transition from a conflict-driven narrative to a state of opportunity, particularly in culture, sports and tourism. He described Nagaland as a gateway in the Asian Century and urged Indian Missions abroad to amplify the state’s strengths on global platforms.
Minister of Tourism & Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, highlighted Nagaland’s unique identity, comprising over 2,000 vibrant villages and a safe environment for women. He emphasized the need to nurture the creative economy, generate employment, and harness cultural and social capital for inclusive growth.
Presentations by IDAN and the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) showcased Nagaland’s expanding footprint in music, arts, handloom, handicrafts, film and festivals, including the Hornbill Festival. TaFMA shared updates on international collaborations, training initiatives and global performances by Naga artists.
Discussions also focused on sports as a key driver of youth empowerment. Abu Metha announced that Nagaland will host the World Belt Wrestling Championship in November 2025. Stakeholders explored avenues for collaboration in traditional sports, e-sports and athlete exchange programmes.
Masakui stressed the importance of aligning Nagaland’s strengths with India’s Act East Policy, promoting educational exchanges, indigenous knowledge systems and branding of Naga products for global markets. Robert Shetkintong encouraged expansion of cultural diplomacy, tourism promotion and market linkages for artisans and entrepreneurs.
Legislators and officials shared perspectives on enhancing private sector participation, adopting global best practices in education, and supporting exports of handloom and handicrafts.
Meanwhile, Government of Nagaland expressed gratitude to the visiting officers and affirmed that their engagement through Indian Missions abroad will be instrumental in connecting Nagaland to global opportunities.
High Commissioner of India to Mozambique, Robert Shetkintong, and Consul General of India in Vancouver, R. Masakui, also paid a courtesy visit to chief secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, at his office chamber in the Nagaland Civil Secretariat on September 3.
During the meeting, the dignitaries exchanged views on potential areas of collaboration between Nagaland and international partners. Discussions included trade and investment opportunities, technical and development cooperation, cultural exchange programmes, promotion of indigenous products, climate change initiatives, and water conservation efforts.
It may be noted that both Shetkintong and Masakui, officers of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) batch of 2001, are currently on a five-day State Attachment to Nagaland as part of the Mid-Career Training Programme–III. Earlier in the day, they also called on the ACS EF& CC & DG ATI, Finance commissioner and Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, and had fruitful interaction on various matters.