Countrymen!
Let us give glory to our Almighty God for sustaining the Naga nation and giving us the courage to assert our political rights as a nation. The brutal truth of history is painful to us as we commemorate the 79th Naga Independence Day on this day, 14th August 2025. We are being oppressed and suppressed by the invading nations, India and Burma (Myanmar). Nagalim declared independence one day ahead of India, and tomorrow India will celebrate her 79th Independence Day. This is the brutal truth of history. The painful irony is that we still have to fight for the historical and political rights that have now reached 79 years.
Countrymen!
The indelible records of history show how the political suppression of the Nagas began in the most inhuman manner under the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. He abhorred the very idea of the Naga people’s political assertion to exist as an independent sovereign nation. To achieve his aggressive control over the Naga political movement, he blatantly introduced the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, to suppress the political rights of the Naga nation. The world condemned this act, but the Government of India (GoI) has remained defiant throughout. Today, as in the past, the Naga people have proved Nehru wrong in his attempt to crush the Nagas’ right to live as a sovereign, independent nation. Let us thank God for giving us the enduring patience and strength to maintain our position as upright people defending our sovereign identity.
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Countrymen!
Today, as we commemorate the 79th Anniversary of Naga Independence Day, let us recall how the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks began. This came about through the realization and recognition of the Indo-Naga conflict as a political conflict. The credit for this honesty in admitting the historical truth goes to the then Prime Minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao. It was on 12th June 1995 in Paris, France, when he told the NSCN leadership: “I believe in a political solution. We must solve through political talks.” This statement marked a turning point, and the NSCN leadership took note of his approach as events unfolded. Eventually, a ceasefire between the NSCN and the Government of India was declared on 25th July 1997 to pave the way for political talks. The formal talks began on 1st August 1997, based on the following principles:
- The talks would be unconditional;
- The talks would be at the highest level, i.e., at the Prime Ministerial level;
- The talks would take place outside India in a third country.
Countrymen!
I must point out the brutal truth of the Indo-Naga political talks, which have crossed 600 rounds and have been held in third countries, in India, and in Nagalim. Let us remind ourselves that the military confrontation with India and Burma (Myanmar) was provoked because Nagalim nationalism was treated as “secessionist,” and the Nagas were blamed for disturbing the “law and order” of India and Burma (Myanmar), thereby posing a threat to their national security. However, with the signing of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué on 11th July 2002 and the Framework Agreement on 3rd August 2015, the GoI recognized and rectified contentious issues regarding Nagalim’s history and sovereignty. Expressing regret over past misunderstandings, the GoI recognized and acknowledged the “unique history and position” of the Nagas, accepted that sovereignty lies with the people, and agreed to the sharing of “sovereign power.” Both parties mutually agreed that “an enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful co-existence of two entities” could be realized by honoring the letter and spirit of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the Framework Agreement.
Countrymen!
We must understand that the labor and effort invested in the Indo-Naga political negotiations led to these agreements. This is no small achievement. I believe that the political space and opportunity created by this peace process must be fully utilized to conclude a negotiated political settlement.
Countrymen!
As we commemorate the 79th Nagalim Independence Day and celebrate the milestones achieved through these agreements, we are reminded that they are the fruits of seeds planted by past Naga leaders — T. Aliba Imti, A. Z. Phizo, T. Sakhrie, Scato Swu, Khodao Yanthan, Isak Chishi Swu, and many others — who stood firm for Nagalim’s history and sovereignty. We also acknowledge Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Rajagopalachari, P. V. Narasimha Rao, H. D. Deve Gowda, I. K. Gujral, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi, whose understanding and counsel on the Indo-Naga conflict helped guide history toward the signing of these agreements. Due acknowledgement must also go to Government of India representatives in the peace talks — including Swaraj Kaushal, K. Padmanabhaiah, Oscar Fernandes, R. S. Pandey, and R. N. Ravi — as well as individuals such as human rights lawyer Nandita Haksar and mediator Michael C. van Walt van Praag of Kreddha, who helped sustain the peace process during difficult times.
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Countrymen!
We are thankful to international organizations that acted as pillars of support in our global campaign for Nagalim, contributing to the ceasefire of 25th July 1997 and the start of peace talks. Notable among these are the Society for Threatened Peoples, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), KWIA-Support Group for Indigenous Peoples, and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). The United Nations and its human rights bodies — including the UN Working Group on Indigenous Peoples (UNWGIP), the Permanent Forum, and the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights — provided platforms to present the Nagalim issue internationally. The NSCN’s membership in the UNPO on 23rd January 1993 was a momentous achievement. Today, the Nagalim national flag stands proudly in institutions that support human rights and self-determination.
Countrymen!
To the Naga tribes and civil society organizations from different parts of India and Burma (Myanmar), I cannot thank you enough for your selfless service and cooperation in both conflict and peace. I acknowledge the contributions of Naga Hoho, Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO), Tirap Changlang Longding Peoples Forum (TCLPF), Global Naga Forum (GNF), United Naga Council (UNC), Naga organizations in Myanmar, the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Naga Mothers Association (NMA), Naga Women’s Union (NWU), the student fraternity including the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), Naga students’ unions in Delhi, Shillong, Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU), Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), and the Naga Students Organization (NSO) Myanmar, among others. We are also grateful to individuals, organizations, and well-wishers from mainland India and beyond for their unwavering support to the Indo-Naga peace process.
Countrymen!
On this 79th Nagalim Independence Day — also marking the 23rd year of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the 10th year of the Framework Agreement — let us remind ourselves that these agreements speak loud and clear: the Nagas are not a lost people. We have our history and our sovereign rights. We will stand by our unique history and sovereignty, today and tomorrow. We demand nothing from India or Burma (Myanmar); we simply proclaim what is rightfully ours. Our unique history, our territory and sovereignty, our national flag, our constitution (Yehzabo), and the integration of all Naga contiguous areas are non-negotiable. If India and Burma (Myanmar) respect the history of the Nagas, we will respect theirs ten times more.
Countrymen!
I am proud that we have not forgotten the condition upon which God has given liberty to mankind, to maintain “eternal vigilance.” The enemy will never rest in its attempt to destroy the God-given history of the Naga nation, Nagalim.
Countrymen!
In the spirit of this Independence Day, as we hoist our national flag, let us resolve in our hearts to maintain freedom in our minds, faith in our words, pride in our hearts, and honor for our Creator God.
KUKNALIM!