Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has praised the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival for surpassing previous milestones and setting new standards in cultural showcase, scale and global participation. In a letter addressed to the Minister of Tourism, he congratulated the organising committee for successfully concluding the 2025 edition on December 10.

Rio acknowledged the collective contribution of government departments, institutions, organisations and citizens, noting that the festival’s success “belongs to the people of Nagaland.” He emphasised that such a large-scale event would not have been possible without the public’s enthusiastic participation and support.

This year’s festival saw an unprecedented international presence, with six Country Partners—Austria, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and Malta—alongside Arunachal Pradesh as Partner State. Rio said this growing diversity reflects the rising global relevance of the Hornbill Festival as a platform for cultural diplomacy, collaboration and people-to-people exchange.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the extraordinary challenges faced during the 2025 preparations. Prolonged monsoon rains and natural calamities placed significant pressure on timelines, yet the organising teams responded with “exceptional commitment, resilience and professionalism,” ensuring that the event maintained its reputation for excellence.

Rio added that the Hornbill Festival continues to expand its reach each year, attracting increasing interest from international visitors and delegations. However, he noted that the Protected Area Permit (PAP) restrictions remain a hurdle for tourism growth, despite Nagaland’s peaceful environment and the sentiments of its people.