New Delhi, December 07: Meeting for the first time, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today told NSCN(IM) leaders that he favoured a "mutually acceptable and honourable" solution to the decades-old problem in Nagaland and wanted to ensure that the people there lived a life of peace with dignity and self-respect.

"Our Government will make sincere effort to find an honourable way out," he said during the 30-minute meeting with National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) Chairman Isak Chisi Swu and General Secretary T Muivah here.

Swu and Muivah, who arrived here on Sunday night from Amsterdam to hold talks with Central leadership, said they sought an honourable solution while asserting that "a solution cannot be found in violence and blood".

Appreciating their remarks, Singh said he was in favour of a "mutually acceptable and honourable solution that can ensure that the Naga people live a life of peace with dignity and self-respect," according to PMO spokesman Sanjaya Baru.

The five-member NSCN (I-M) delegation, which also met Home Minister Shivraj Patil later, thanked the Prime Minister for his "warm hospitality" saying "it is a measure of your great wisdom and we respect that".

Substantive talks will start only after Muivah and Swu return from Nagaland, where they are "going to spend Christmas and the New Year.

One of the demands is incorporation of Naga dominated areas in other States in a Greater Nagalim or Greater Nagaland.

The UPA's Common Minimum Programme has, however, rejected the redrawing of boundaries in the North East.

It is learnt that the NSCN (I-M) has already submitted a draft proposal to the Centre where they want a detailed discussion on the issue of greater autonomy; redrawing present boundaries of the State for the formation of Greater Nagaland - that is incorporating areas of neighbouring States; a mechanism whereby the State has a greater say in foreign affairs, reiterating their close relations with Myanmar and China.

The demand of NSCN (I-M) for creation of a "Greater Nagaland" had earlier sparked off large-scale violence in Manipur.

People of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are strongly against creation of Greater Nagaland and extension, of the ceasefire beyond the boundaries of Nagaland.

After a nearly hour-long meeting with the Naga, team, Patil said it was an opportunity to get acquainted with the NSCN (I-M) leader.

Describing the meeting as a "courtesy" call, Patil said "we did not discuss anything substantive or controversial.

We will work for peace and make all efforts to create a good atmosphere".

Centre's interlocuter for the Naga peace process K Padmanabhaiah and some senior officials were present at both the meetings.

IM's statement assures co-operation: The top leadership of insurgent group NSCN(I-M) today assured the Centre that "no stone should be left unturned" to achieve a peaceful solution to the Naga problem.

A statement issued after NSCN (I-M) Chairman Isak Chisi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil; described the parleys as "cordial and optimistic" and said they would "strive for an honourable and mutually acceptable solution".

The "collective leadership" of the outfit and the Government 'reaffirmed and reassured" each other of their commitment that "ho stone should be left unturned to achieve a peaceful solution to the Indo-Naga conflict", the statement signed by VS Atem, Emissary of the collective leadership of NSCN (I-M), said.

Swu and Muivah did not attend the scheduled NSCN (I-M) press conference where the statement was issued.

Atem, who represented the Naga leadership at the press conference, said that "discussions on substantive issues had not started.

Hence, news reports defining the parameters of dialogue are mere speculations".

Atem also did not take questions saying "we will keep you posted.

We will meet again when the talks start".

During their stay in India, Swu and Muivah, who arrived here from Amsterdam on Sunday night, will visit Nagaland and again return to Delhi for parleys with the Centre.

Besides Patil, Ministers of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal and S Regupathy.

Centre's interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah, Prime Minister's Special Advisor M K Narayanan and Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh were present.

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