U.S. Consul General Helen LaFave visited Nagaland from November 30 to December 3, marking her second visit to the region this year. The visit was part of her socio-economic familiarization trips throughout Northeast India, highlighting elements of the U.S.-India strategic relationship.
During her stay, LaFave attended the opening ceremony of the Hornbill Festival at Kisama Heritage Village. She expressed her appreciation for witnessing the unique and diverse tribal traditions of the Naga people and thanked the Government of Nagaland for their invitation. "The Hornbill Music Festival is a reminder that the United States and India share very important values – democracy, diversity and the recognition that great music transcends borders," she remarked.
LaFave served as the Chief Guest at the World War II Peace Rally’s prize distribution ceremony and was a special guest at Kohima Raj Bhavan’s Hornbill Edition of the Handshake Concert. In addition to attending these events, she met with officials from the Government of Nagaland as well as civil society representatives, journalists, and NGOs.
While in Kohima, LaFave paid courtesy visits to Governor P.B. Acharya and Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang. She also toured the Kohima War Cemetery to honor Indian soldiers and allied forces who fought together during World War II.