Discussion : Indo-Naga Peace Talks and India's Northeast
Date : 18 October 2020 :: People's Campaign for Resurgent Manipur

Concept Note

Since its inception in mid-twentieth century, the postcolonial Indian State has been facing the challenge of dealing with the aspirations of its variegated population. By adopting multicultural political ethos and other institutional mechanisms, the Indian State seeks to address some of these aspirations. To some extent, such an attempt has been successful in addressing the aspirations.

However, those associated with nationalist varieties have remained unresolved. This is particularly true in the case of those nationalist assertions in India’s Northeast. Undoubtedly, Naga nationalist assertion is a salient one amongst those aspirations. In fact, it is a phenomenon that predates the birth of the republic itself.

The issue has led to one of the bloodiest armed confrontations for decades since mid-twentieth century. Many attempts in the past to resolve the issue have not succeeded so far. The latest attempt to bring an amicable solution is the ongoing negotiation between the Government of India and the Naga nationalist representatives since 1997 to date.

This effort has been marked by contentious issues, particularly those which come from the competing aspirations of peoples in India’s Northeast and those emanating from the imperatives of the Indian State as well as the political interests of its ruling class.

In the light of these issues, the panel shall deliberate on the various facets of the ongoing talks, particularly the nature of the talks, the likely outcomes and implications for not only Nagaland but India’s Northeast as a whole. It shall also reflect on the possibilities of reimagining polity and society to address competing aspirations in India’s Northeast.

Media in-charge
People’s Campaign for Resurgent Manipur
https://resurgentmanipur.blogspot.com/