Modi walks the talk

 After more than 80 rounds of talks since 22 years since the cease fire was signed between the government of India and the NSCN(I-M), the endless and often protracted negotiations had picked up momentum after the Modi government assumed office in 2014. Just a little over a year after assuming office, the Modi government signed the historic Framework Agreement on August 3,2015. The government of India’s Interlocutor to the Naga Peace Talks R.N.Ravi signed the document on behalf of the government of India while Isak Chishi Swu (president) and Th.Muivah (general secretary) signed the document on behalf of NSCN(I-M) in presence of home minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen.Dalbir Singh Suhag including various leaders of the NSCN(I-M). Later another agreement was signed with the seven-member Naga National Political Groups(NNPGs) represented by the Working Committee(WC) on November 17,2017 which has titled as “Agreed Position” or “Preamble”. Ravi had visited Nagaland on several occasions to hold open discussions on the fate of the Naga peace talks and also to explain various facets of the progress that culminated in the signing of the Framework Agreement. In subsequent interviews to this newspaper, Ravi had pointedly made it clear that the negotiations have reached a crucial stage where all issues have been covered and agreed upon. On the issue of demand for Naga flag and constitution, Ravi made it clear that it was not in the agenda, both in the Framework Agreement as well as the Preamble signed with both Naga groups. In the October 18 meeting with various Naga tribe hohos, civil society organisations and church, Ravi had informed the gathering about the determination of the Modi government, to conclude the talks as endless negotiations under the shadow of the guns, was not acceptable especially in the light of the vociferous pleas of Nagas for early and peaceful solution. After assuming the office of governor of Nagaland in August this year, Ravi had told public at a civic reception accorded to him, that Modi had given him the task of concluding the prolonged negotiations within three months. That means that solution could be expected within November this year. The Naga political issue has reached the concluding stage just within five years under prime minister Narendra Modi who has proved to be a bold and decisive leader as against 17 long years of inconclusive talks under the  NDA-I(1998-2003) , then UPA-I(2003-2009)- and UPA-II(2009-14). Modi chose to walk the talk and has carved a niche for himself in history of Naga political talks. It may also be noted that Congress prime minister P.V.Narasimha Rao broke the crust when he  met the NSCN(I-M) leaders in 1995 in Paris and later declared in Dimapur, that the Naga issue was a national issue and invited the NSCN(I-M) for talks without preconditions. The cease fire was signed on August 1,1997 during the tenure of Janata Dal (UF) prime minister I.K.Gujral. Tributes for agreeing to hold peaceful dialogue should also goto the NSCN(I-M) leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Th.Muivah for heeding to the people for bringing the issue to the negotiating table. In peace, the only victor are the people, to whom all negotiators have dedicated their endeavour. The bible says there is a time and purpose for everything under heaven and hopefully all will focus on rebuilding and healing for which they have been praying for decades.