Naga Peace Talks and Narasimha Rao : Do not miss the forest for trees

Nirendra Dev *

If governance is a continuous process, politics is no different. This piece is being written on June 28th, the birth anniversary of P V Narasimha Rao. The former Prime Minister used to be often ridiculed for his now famous statement - "Not to take decision is also a decision".

But as far as the Naga issue goes, he took one of the most decisive decisions of his time -- set the ball rolling for dialogue by agreeing to unconditional talks.

Of course, not many Congressman would be delighted to recall Rao's move as ultimately the talks process has decimated Congress in their onetime bastion - that is Nagaland.

Veteran S C Jamir lost power in 2003 and by 2018 and 2023 - the Congress party became an insignificant force with no legislator in the assembly. But paradox is also a nature of politics and hence in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, an underdog S Supongmeren Jamir emerged a giant slayer beating one incumbent CM, two deputy CMs and 57 other MLAs.

With the historic mandate in his kitty, Congress MP Supongmeren is now qualified 'better' to talk about long pending Naga issue in Lok Sabha. Of course, there have been other lawmakers from both the Houses earlier -- but the opportunity given to him is historic and as they say - God-sent.

In the meanwhile comes another episode the split in the underground organisation headed by N Kitovi Zhimomi. Since 2017, Kitovi has been the face and voice of NNPG -- the pro-Solution amalgam of Naga groups. Though the split in the organisation is a setback; he is still counted. Reportedly, Kitovi was in Delhi lately and held important rounds of parleys with key players in the centre.

The 'signatory' to the Agreed Position of Nov 17, 2017, has since returned to Dimapur. Delhi mandarins are in the meantime working hard on two fronts -- Manipur and Naga peace process. Both the initiatives got a booster after the just concluded parliamentary polls gave a terse message to BJP and also its allies such as NDPP, NPF and even parties like MNF in Mizoram and Conrad Sangma-led NPP in Meghalaya.

In Nagaland, the master strategists are now running short of tricks. The apprehension of what will happen next and how are haunting not only those in power but also those 'outside the state' who have been rejoicing the so-called status quo.

But the public mood is now Solution. An old war horse in Naga politics says, there was a time when Naga youths spoke about sovereignty and even integration. But today, the voice is Pragmatic and everyone seems to say - Let's have the Solution.

But New Delhi has apparently burnt its fingers by the developments of 2023 in Manipur.

Hence, the Modi government is now forced to debate -- which issue should be handled first -- the Manipur mess or the Naga political issue.

There are some who have already counseled Home Minister Amit Shah and his associates -- what should get priority -- the roads or purchasing of vehicles. The big picture is slowly emerging and someone has to catch the bull by its horns. One cannot miss the forest for trees -- that's the big picture.

However, the centre is keen to take the right steps vis-a-vis its vulnerable eastern neighbour Myanmar. Hence, post-elections, the Modi government is trying to get its act together over its Act East policy and ensuring return of democracy in Myanmar.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met his counterpart U Than Shwe in Delhi (an unscheduled meeting) and shared India's "deep concern" over the impact of violence and instability on the Indian border.

He sought cooperation for early return of Indians trapped in Myawaddy town. And most importantly, he pitched for early return to the path of democratic transition in Myanmar and assured that New Delhi is open to engaging all stakeholders to address the situation.

After the meeting, EAM said he pressed for "credible security" to India's ongoing projects in Myanmar.

The recent polls have been enough proof that democracy is kicking and people's wish matter a lot in India. Hence the Prime Minister will have to count to his people for a peace and a final Solution he makes or does not make. And the same rule applies to his Chief Ministers as well.