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The framework agreement on the Naga issue is a significant development in the history of Northeast India. It was signed on August 3, 2015, between the Indian government and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement aims to bring lasting peace and stability to the Naga Hills region, which has been afflicted with insurgency for decades.

The Naga insurgency dates back to the 1950s, when the Naga National Council (NNC) began an armed struggle for an independent Nagaland. After years of violence and negotiations, the NNC signed a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government in 1964. However, several other militant groups emerged in the region and continued the armed struggle.

The NSCN is one of the most prominent and powerful insurgent groups in the Naga Hills. It was formed in 1980 after the split of the NNC. The NSCN has demanded an independent Nagalim, which would include not only Nagaland but also parts of neighboring states like Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The framework agreement signed in 2015 is a breakthrough in the peace process between the Indian government and the NSCN. It is not a final settlement but a broad framework for future negotiations. The details of the agreement are not yet publicly available, but it is reported to include provisions for greater autonomy and self-governance for the Naga people, as well as measures for the integration of Naga areas into the Indian union.

The signing of the framework agreement was hailed as a historic moment by both the Indian government and the NSCN. Prime Minister Modi described it as a “new dawn” for the Naga people, while the NSCN leader Thuingaleng Muivah called it a “positive step towards a lasting solution.”

However, the agreement has also attracted criticism and skepticism from various quarters. Some have raised concerns about the impact of the agreement on the sovereignty and integrity of the affected states. Others have questioned the secrecy surrounding the negotiations and the lack of transparency in the process.

The Naga issue is a complex and sensitive one, and any resolution will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders. The framework agreement of 2015 is a promising start, but much work remains to be done. The Indian government and the NSCN must continue their dialogue in good faith, with a genuine commitment to finding a just and lasting solution to the Naga issue.