Wednesday, June 17, 2026 (Nokinketer News): A five-member French delegation led by Marc Boudin, Director of Alliance Française du Bengale, visited Nagaland from June 12 to 17, 2026, and held a series of high-level meetings focused on culinary arts, culture and traditions, tourism and hospitality, sports and preventive medicine, French language and professional development, international media promotion, and corporate and institutional partnerships.
The delegation included Linda Myriam Bortoletto, traveller and explorer; Olivier Karim Thienot, Founder of l’École du Vin de France; Damien Laurent Marie Monnot, Chief Medical Officer of Olympique de Marseille; and Moitrayee Dhar, Cultural Manager at Alliance Française du Bengale.
A roundtable meeting chaired by IDAN Chairman Abu Metha was held on June 16 with the French delegation, senior government officials, and private stakeholders. Metha emphasized the importance of building partnerships, strengthening people-to-people ties, fostering diplomacy, and exploring mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.
Advisor for Information & Public Relations and Soil & Water Conservation, Daochier I. Imchen, who graced the occasion, stressed the need to promote local culture and transform it into a sustainable economic asset. He highlighted initiatives undertaken by the Department of Information and Public Relations, including cine fests, film festivals, animation, and gaming, and invited the French delegation to explore collaborative opportunities.
Speaking on the occasion, Marc Boudin noted the cultural similarities between the Nagas and the French, describing Nagaland as a “region of culture.” He said the visit aimed not only to promote French culture but also to strengthen cultural links between Nagaland and France through partnerships and exchange programmes.
Among those present were TaFMA Chairman Theja Meru, NIDC Chairman Kvulo Lorin, Niathu Group of Hotels CEO Rajeev Ranjan, and senior officials from the departments of Art & Culture, IPR, Tourism, Horticulture, Youth Resources & Sports, Industries & Commerce, as well as representatives from the Nagaland Olympic Association, Nagaland Tourism Association, WENN, Heritage Beverages of Nagaland, and The White Owl.
In collaboration with the Niathu Group of Hotels, the industry partner for the visit, several activities were organised, including culinary appreciation and food-pairing sessions, a football enthusiasts’ panel discussion, and the inauguration of the Football Corner at Ruby Café 24×7.
The visit is a direct outcome of the Country Partner Business Roundtable held during the Hornbill Festival last year, when the Ambassador of France to India led a high-level French delegation and identified several areas of potential collaboration with Nagaland.
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