The representation raises the importance of reinstating a full-time interlocutor from the Government of India—akin to past practices—and addressing the persistent opacity surrounding the negotiations.
By Dhiren A. Sadokpam
A group of Rajya Sabha Members from across the political spectrum has submitted a joint representation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing grave concerns over the stagnation of the Naga Peace Process and urging immediate steps to reinvigorate negotiations.
The representation, dated February 3, 2025, underscores bipartisan apprehensions about the prolonged inertia in resolving one of India’s longest-standing conflicts. This indicates the emergence of a consensus among Members of Parliament who, in the past, struggled to align on the issue due to divergent political stances. Additionally, the importance of reinstating a full-time interlocutor from the Government of India—akin to past practices—and addressing the persistent opacity surrounding negotiations, particularly regarding the strategic and geopolitical complexities of the matter, cannot be overstated.
Historic Progress, Current Stalemate
The MPs highlighted the Naga Peace Process’s historical significance, noting milestones such as the 1997 ceasefire agreement, the 2002 Amsterdam Communiqué, and the landmark Framework Agreement signed in August 2015 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The latter was hailed as a breakthrough, promising “mutual equality, respect, trust, and confidence” to resolve the decades-old conflict.
However, the representation laments that the process has “regrettably suffered a pronounced slowdown” since the resignation of the government’s last full-time interlocutor in September 2021. Since then, negotiations have reportedly been managed by an ad-hoc official, leading to “sporadic” meetings and disrupted communication channels. The MPs warned that this fragmented approach risks eroding nearly three decades of painstaking progress, jeopardizing trust built with Naga groups.
MPs criticize Opacity Surrounding Negotiation
A key concern raised is the “systematic exclusion” of elected representatives and Parliament itself from meaningful engagement in the process. The representation criticizes the opacity surrounding negotiations, which it claims have been relegated to “bureaucratic manoeuvring” without democratic oversight. Despite bipartisan support for the peace process historically, Parliament has not received updates on the status of talks since the Framework Agreement was signed a decade ago.
“The persistent secrecy surrounding the agreement and the perceived impasse raise serious concerns,” the MPs stated, emphasizing the geo-strategic importance of the Northeast region, which borders five countries and remains critical to national security.
Urgent Demands
The signatories made two urgent appeals to the Home Minister:
- Parliamentary Update: A detailed report on the Framework Agreement’s progress, current negotiations, and reasons for stagnation must be tabled in the upcoming parliamentary session.
- Full-Time Interlocutor: Immediate appointment of a dedicated negotiator to restore momentum and trust, ensuring the process is not derailed further.
The representation, signed by over 20 MPs, stresses that further delays could undermine stability in the Northeast and fuel discontent.
Strategic Imperative
The Indo-Naga conflict, rooted in the demand for the Right to Self-Determination, has seen violence since India’s independence. While the 1997 ceasefire between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim or the NSCN (I-M) significantly reduced hostilities, unresolved political grievances persist. The MPs warned that the current inertia risks reviving tensions, undermining India’s broader efforts to curb insurgencies in the Northeast and its strategic-geopolitical intricacies. The representation concludes with an appeal to prioritize “lasting peace, progress, and democratic stability” in the region.
(Dhiren A. Sadokpam is the Editor-in-Chief of The Frontier Manipur)