Trust deficit roadblock in Naga peace process

The delay in signing of the final Naga peace accord has allowed suspicion to grow between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak- Muivah) and the Government of India. With the two sides blaming each other for the delay, the Naga people have been gripped by a fresh bout of anxiety and apprehension that the talks have reached a dead end. The commitments of the NSCN (IM) and New Delhi for a sustained dialogue for a negotiated and honourable solution to the vexed Naga political problem helped built an atmosphere of trust. The negotiations helped make a significant breakthrough five years ago on August 3, 2015 when the two sides signed the framework agreement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessing the signing of the framework agreement during his previous tenure strengthened the hope among the Naga people for a permanent and honourable solution at the earliest. It is unfortunate that the trust deficit between the two sides has held them back from meeting across the table to conclude the peace talks and ink the final accord even after making considerable progress in the negotiations. Even though the Government of India opened dialogue with the NSCN(IM) way back in 1997 it was constantly aware of the need to bring all other Naga rebel groups on board in the peace process to make the final peace accord inclusive. New Delhi's interlocutor for Naga peace process and Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi articulated this position of Government of India into a signing an agreement with the Naga National Political Group (NNPG), a group of seven other Naga rebel groups in 2017. It was a step taken in right direction and secured support of the Naga civil society organizations as they themselves have been striving for reconciliation among all Naga armed factions so that a single peace accord can settle the Naga political problem once and for all. New Delhi must keep itself reminded that the efforts to bring all factions on board must reflect the collective efforts of the Naga civil society groups and should not lead to opening a parallel peace negotiation. All stakeholders in the ongoing Naga peace process have to keep in mind that underestimating the influence, support, and capability of each other could be disastrous and derail the entire peace process. A hostile attitude towards each other negates the very doctrine of dialogue in a peace negotiation. Dialogue alone cannot bring peace and the mediation plays the most critical role in conflict resolution. The interlocutors in the Naga peace process, therefore, shoulder a larger responsibility of keeping open all channels of communications to ensure that gains made over the past 23 years are not lost whatever the provocations may be. The expertise and skills of negotiations displayed by the interlocutors in course of the negotiation resulting in significant progress in substantive talks stole the attention and won the appreciation of political leadership, policy makers, every single peace lover in the region and beyond. A well-structured mechanism is in place to address issues of ceasefire violations. The two sides putting end to all public display of differences that have cropped up will create a conducive atmosphere for sustained negotiations and revive the hope for early signing of the peace accord. Lack of transparency in the peace process has also added to the confusion among the Naga people as well as people in the neigbouring states of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. Permanent peace, stability in Naga-inhabited areas is critical to conflict resolution in the entire Northeast region. It will unlock the full potential for the region to position itself at the centre-stage of India's engagement with ASEAN. The Government of India and Naga rebel groups cannot lose sight of the fact that support of the people in the neighbouring states is critical to ensuring durability of the solution to the Naga political problem. Neither side can afford to let the prevailing situation of distrust and suspicion to grow into a fresh conflict. Peace and stability in the region shape India's engagement in the Asian neighbourhood. There should be no room for any force inimical to the country to influence how India will engage with its ASEAN neighbours. Naga people have been held hostage by failed negotiations between New Delhi and Naga rebel groups. Any assumption that the Naga people have become resilient to a protracted conflict situation is based on a faulty perception. The writings on the wall are clear for all stakeholders in the Naga peace process. Protracted conflict and failed negotiations have created fatigue for long-drawn dialogue among the Naga people and their patience for an early, honourable and durable solution should not be put to the test. The two sides must find a way for resuming the dialogue, concluding the talks, and signing the final peace accord at the earliest.