Reported by Bhadra Gogoi
Dimapur: A five-member French delegation led by Marc Boudin, Director of Alliance Française du Bengale, concluded a six-day visit to Nagaland on Wednesday after holding a series of high-level discussions aimed at fostering partnerships across multiple sectors.
The visit focused on exploring avenues of collaboration in areas including culinary arts, culture and heritage, tourism and hospitality, sports and preventive medicine, French language education, professional development, international media outreach, and institutional and corporate partnerships between France and Nagaland.
Speaking at a roundtable meeting in Chumoukedima, Boudin said the delegation’s objective extended beyond promoting French culture, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful connections between French and Naga communities through cultural exchanges and long-term partnerships.
He highlighted several cultural similarities between the people of France and Nagaland, describing the northeastern state as a “region of culture” with immense potential for international engagement.
Chairing the meeting, Abu Metha, Chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), underscored the significance of strengthening people-to-people relations, diplomacy, and collaborative initiatives that could generate mutual benefits for both sides.
During their stay, the delegation participated in a range of events, including sessions on culinary appreciation and food pairing, a panel discussion involving football enthusiasts and the inauguration of the Football Corner at Ruby Café 24×7.
The visit was a direct outcome of discussions initiated during the Country Partner Business Roundtable held on the sidelines of the Hornbill Festival last year.
The French delegation also included traveller and explorer Linda Myriam Bortoletto, 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.