Fourth round of tripartite talks on Frontier Nagaland Territory on September 9

DIMAPUR — The fourth round of tripartite talks between the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), the government of India, and the government of Nagaland will be held on Tuesday, September 9, at the Police Complex in Chümoukedima.

Sources from the ENPO confirmed the development on Monday.

The talks will deliberate on issues concerning the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT). The previous round was held in New Delhi on July 23 this year, which was convened by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Following that meeting, the ENPO had stated that significant progress was made in narrowing down differences, though certain issues remained to be resolved by Nagaland government.

According to the ENPO, central officials displayed “serious and practical” engagement during the discussions, and the Union home secretary had urged the state government representatives to firm up their position within two weeks.

Also read: Tripartite meeting narrowed differences on Frontier Nagaland Territory proposal—ENPO

Rio says Frontier Nagaland Territory issue nearing resolution

Although the follow-up meeting was expected in August, it is now scheduled for September 9.

The second round of talks on January 15, 2025, also held at the Chümoukedima Police Complex, had reiterated ENPO’s original demand for separate statehood.

The government of India, however, offered the FNT as a political solution, with ENPO leaders expressing cautious optimism that the arrangement could be “acceptable and honourable” to the people of eastern Nagaland.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, in his Independence Day address this year, acknowledged the development deficit in eastern Nagaland and noted that “substantial progress” had been made in the tripartite talks. He expressed optimism that the concerns of the ENPO would be resolved “in the spirit of brotherhood.”