New Delhi, January 23: K Padmanabhaiah, Representative of Government of India and Th.Muivah, General Secretary, NSCN have issued the following Joint Communiqu�, here today according to a press hand out from the Ministry of Home Affairs: "The representatives of the Government of India and the NSCN are pleased with the progress that has been made in the course of the visit of the NSCN leaders to New Delhi, during which they met the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Finance Minister, and in the formal talks held on 21-23 January.

A wide range of substantive issues put up by the NSCN in their proposal were discussed.

The NSGN raised the issues relating to the distinct identity of the Nagas and their stand on the unification of Naga areas.

In this regard the Government of India representative clarified that there has been no change in its stand on the scope of negotiations.

There was agreement to continue the formal talks until a lasting settlement is reached.

Meanwhile both sides reaffirmed the need for a peaceful, violence-free environment" NSCN(I-M) tonight said it was satisfied with centre's clarification on assurances on territorial integrity of Manipur but insisted that the peace talks would continue to be held on issues including unification of Naga areas.

The matter has been clarified to our satisfaction, as we understand that no assurance were given to anyone in respect to the substance of the negotiations, insurgent outfit's leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah told PTI in an interview here.

The joint communiqu� signed by Muivah and centre's special emissary K Padmanabhaiah after three days of parleys said there has been no change in the government's stand on the scope of the negotiations.

Quoting it, Muivah said the scope of these ongoing negotiations, which have always been unconditional, comprise all matters contained in the NSGN proposal of September 2001, including the unification of Naga areas.

-Stating that they were pleased with the progress made in this round of talks in which many substantive issues were discussed, Swu said both sides agreed on the importance of continuing the negotiations until a lasting solution was reached.

The centre and NSCN (I-M) today agreed to continue talks until a lasting settlement to the decades-old Naga issue was reached amidst indications that differences persisted on major issues including the outfit's most contentious demand for unification of Naga areas.

A joint statement signed by the two sides at the conclusion of their three days of intense parleys said they agreed to maintain a peaceful and violence-free environment till then.

The agreement to persist with the talks was reached after a 30-minute discussion between Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra and NSCN (IM) Chairman Isak Chisi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah today, the centre's emissary to the talks; K Padmanabhaiah told reporters here.

On the unification of Naga areas, the statement said thct in this regard the government representative clarified that there is no change in its stand on the scope of negotiations.

Swu and Muivah ruled out laying down of arms but said they would continue with talks to reach an agreement.

The NSCN (I-M) held talks with senior central officials comprising Padmanabhaiah, Director intelligence bureau K P Singh and Secretary (Bolder management) in the Knion home ministry R C A Jain over the last two days and today.The decision to continue with the talks was reached after a 30-minute meeting between Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra and NSCN (I-M) Chairman Isak Chisi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah this evening.

Asked by reporters after the Naga leaders s talks with centre's emissary K Padmanabhaiah if Nagaland is part of India, Muivah said no no, the process is there.

The negotiations are there for peace.

We have a history and we were never been part of India.

Rejecting greater devolution of powers under Article 371 (a) of the constitution to give a Jammu and Kashmir-like status to Nagaland, he said the main issue is that the destiny of Naga must be left to Nagas themselves...And we are talking about it.

On the issue of creation of greater Nagaland, Muivah said there is no smaller Nagaland or greater Nagaland.

It is the land that belongs to us.

They are scheduled to leave for the Netherlands tomorrow.

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