Peace talks inconclusive but not deadlocked — NSCN (IM)

DIMAPUR — The NSCN (IM) has affirmed that the last round of peace talks between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) on November 14, 2023 in Delhi, though inconclusive, was not deadlocked.

Giving an update on the position of the peace talks, the NSCN (IM), in a press release, termed it as unfortunate that what began with much fanfare after the singing of the Framework Agreement (FA), is now turning into “betrayal of trust” because of the lack of sincerity on the part of the Indian government.

“This has created huge trust deficit and disillusionment among the people. Friends and critics often said the Government of India is playing with time to diminish the hard-earned Framework Agreement. But that will be too costly. The ball is in the court of Government of India,” the NSCN (IM) said.

Asserting that the FA, signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), reiterates the unique history and position of the Nagas, the NSCN (IM) said that the concepts of shared-sovereignty and co-existence have also been explained in the FA.

 “It is pertinent to reproduce here the very clause mentioned in the draft prepared by the government of India: ‘In the matters of her own affairs, as mutually agreed upon, Nagaland shall be sovereign. The agreement shall cover all Naga areas,’” the release stated.

The group also maintained that during the initial part of the negotiations after signing the FA, the then GoI’s interlocutor left no room for doubt that the “Framework Agreement is the corner stone and the right time has come to work out solution.”

“However, contrary to his commitment, he changed colour as he tried to interpret the Framework Agreement without any political depth considering the historical and political rights of the Nagas. His interpretation is only from the perspective of the Indian constitution and interests, to which NSCN talk team strongly opposed,” it said.

On the issue of Naga national flag, the NSCN (IM) also claimed that the Indian representative had said, “The Government of India has acknowledged/recognised the Naga national flag.” “We were utterly disappointed when he backtracked later. Notwithstanding this, we submitted our draft on the subject matter of flag,” it said.

On Naga territorial integration, the NSCN (IM) further asserted that the GoI’s interlocutor had also said that integration of all Naga areas is the legitimate right of the Nagas, to be materialised through political process.