Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio invited corporate leaders to invest in his state on Monday. He spoke at the 13th One Purpose India Forum held at Hotel Pullman in New Delhi. The three-day event runs through October 28. It is organized by CSRBOX. Rio told the audience that the state seeks partnerships to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
The Chief Minister highlighted Nagaland as a gateway to the ASEAN region. He pointed to the Trans-Asian Highway as a key connectivity link. He wants firms to look past basic charity. He invited businesses to explore logistics, infrastructure, manufacturing, and economic zones. Rio specifically mentioned Nagaki, a planned global city in the foothills of the state.
He noted that Nagaland deals with infrastructure gaps and tough geography. Despite this, the state produces world-class talent. He cited Dr. Talimeren Ao, the 1948 Olympic football captain. He also recognized filmmaker Theja Rio, para-athlete Hokato Hotozhe Sema, and the Nagaland Madrigal Singers. "If our people can achieve so much despite tremendous hurdles, imagine how much more they can contribute with the right support, encouragement and opportunities, especially through the goodwill and partnership of corporate India," he said.
Rio emphasized that the state government is ready to help. The Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland will facilitate new deals. He listed education, healthcare, sports, and climate-resilient agriculture as priority sectors. He urged partners to combine local knowledge with modern technology.
The speech also touched on history. Rio discussed the Nagas' resistance to British expansion and the Battle of Kohima. He stated that the government is working with the Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford to repatriate ancestral human remains. They expect these remains to arrive in India later in November. Rio remains focused on the future. He wants a version of India where geography does not limit progress.
Updated at 27th October 2026 at 5:49pm
Rio pushed for a shift in how businesses handle their contributions. He argued that the real test is not the size of the check or the project, but whether the work creates lasting change. He demanded that firms focus on building credible institutions, running transparent processes, and keeping clear records of their impact. He warned that while quick fixes might grab headlines, real progress relies on playing the long game.
The Chief Minister specifically wants to link local expertise with high-tech solutions and wider markets. He added tourism, natural resources, women-led enterprises, water security, and environmental conservation to his list of investment targets. He described the Hornbill Festival as a prime example of how the state turns its cultural identity into a global calling card.
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