Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh held a roundtable meeting on Wednesday at the Conference Hall of the Handloom & Craft Pavilion, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, on the sidelines of the Hornbill Festival 2025. The meeting aimed to strengthen inter-state partnership and explore avenues for sustained collaboration across multiple sectors.
Officials from both states discussed ways to enhance cross-border cooperation, market access, and enterprise development. The engagement highlighted shared opportunities in trade, tourism, music, youth and sports development, art and culture, as well as agriculture and allied sectors.
As the State Partner for this year’s Hornbill Festival, Arunachal Pradesh also showcased a wide range of products at its pavilion in Kisama. The exhibit featured GI-based handicrafts and textiles, homemade pickles, traditional rice wine and beverages, tea and wellness products, candles, and fragrance items. High visitor turnout and strong sales signalled growing consumer interest in authentic, locally crafted products from the region.
During the meeting, participants emphasized the need to strengthen inter-state value chains and facilitate both B2B and B2G linkages. The discussion also focused on supporting artisans and entrepreneurs through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and institutional partnerships.
Both state governments reiterated their commitment to deepening cooperation to unlock sustainable economic opportunities and present the Northeast as a competitive and culturally distinct investment destination. The roundtable formed part of ongoing efforts to utilise the Hornbill Festival not only as a cultural celebration but also as a platform for regional economic collaboration.
A partnership agreement between Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh was also signed during the meeting. The agreement outlines joint initiatives in music, tourism, art and culture, industries and commerce, business exchanges, youth and sports, and agriculture and allied sectors. It aims to establish a structured framework for cooperation and knowledge-sharing between the two states.
