Put aside ‘distrust,’ continue talks: Former PM Gowda

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | August 17

The former Prime Minister of India and Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha, HD Deve Gowda today said that he was concerned over reports of the “Union government's negotiations with NSCN (IM)” running into "rough weather" and expressed hope that “talks continue, and a peace accord is reached at the earliest.”

“Newspaper reports indicate that the Union government's negotiations with NSCN (IM) to resolve the Naga problem has run into rough weather,” Gowda said in a “Statement on Negotiations with Nagas,” posted on his official Twitter account. 

He further noted that from “recent statements made by those involved in the negotiations it is apparent that distrust has crept in.”

He also recalled how the “Naga ceasefire agreement in 1997” was signed following his meeting with NSCN (IM) leaders, (Late) Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah in Zurich, in February 1997.

It was a result of “constructive diplomacy,” Gowda, who was then the Prime Minister, stated.  

“We should ensure that the progress made in the last 23 years by successive governments is not forsaken now,” he said.

“There is the Constitution and also the 2015 Framework Agreement, which should help us move towards a solution,” he added.

“I sincerely hope that distrust is put aside, talks continue, and a peace accord is reached at the earliest. The people of the North East deserve to live in harmony and witness economic progress,” Gowda conveyed in the statement.