The Nagaland Cabinet has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government and adopted a resolution appreciating his commitment to inclusive development and the transformation of India into a developed nation.
According to a press statement issued by the Home Department, Government of Nagaland, the Cabinet, at its meeting on October 10, appreciated Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, describing it as an inspiring national roadmap towards a developed, prosperous and self-reliant India.
The Cabinet also acknowledged the Prime Minister’s call for Swachh Bharat, which has turned cleanliness and sanitation into a nationwide people’s movement, with sustained emphasis on dignity, public health and environmental protection.
It appreciated the Digital India campaign for transforming the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge-based economy through expanded digital infrastructure, widespread adoption of Unified Payments Interface (UPI), digital identity and authentication systems, and paperless service delivery. These initiatives, it noted, had transformed everyday transactions and strengthened financial inclusion.
The Cabinet also lauded the Scheme for Special Assistance for Capital Investment (SASCI), which provides long-term interest-free loans to States to accelerate capital expenditure and development, contributing to the creation and upgradation of roads, bridges and other essential public infrastructure.
The Cabinet further appreciated the Prime Minister’s continued focus on the North Eastern region through initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) which has helped in addressing critical development gaps by improving connectivity, healthcare and education infrastructure, livelihood generation, and promoting inclusive economic growth across the NE States.
The Cabinet acknowledged the progress made by Nagaland in various sectors under the leadership of the Prime Minister and appreciated the Centre’s continued support in addressing the longstanding Naga political issue.
It noted that the Framework Agreement signed with the NSCN (IM) in 2015 and the Agreed Position signed with the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPGs) in 2017 marked important milestones in the pursuit of a negotiated and peaceful resolution.
The recent appointment of Ajit Lal as the Government of India’s interlocutor for peace talks with the NSCN and the decision to constitute a negotiating team headed by a Minister or a group of Ministers were cited as further indications of the Centre’s approach towards achieving an early, honourable and mutually acceptable settlement of the protracted Naga political issue.
On the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland, the Cabinet highlighted the tripartite Memorandum of Agreement signed on February 5, 2026, by the Governments of India and Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) for the constitution of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
It also noted that the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 1 and unanimously passed on September 3, 2026.
The Cabinet further referred to the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 11, 2026, by the Governments of India, Assam and Nagaland to facilitate oil and natural gas exploration and production in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) along the Nagaland-Assam border. The agreement is intended to facilitate investment, unlock the region’s hydrocarbon potential and generate employment, revenue and economic opportunities.
The Cabinet expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s support in implementing three major projects in the State: the establishment of the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima, the commissioning of the State’s second railway station at Shokhuvi after a gap of more than 100 years and the ongoing extension of the railway line to Zubza, and the four-laning of the Dimapur-Kohima National Highway.
It also acknowledged the Centre’s support for projects and proposals being pursued by the State Government to promote Nagaland’s overall development and contribute to balanced national growth. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been coordinating with various Union ministries and the State Government to advance these projects, the statement said.
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Among the key proposals is the Foothill Road project, described as a priority infrastructure requirement with the potential to serve as an economic corridor and support the State’s future development.
The proposed airport at Ciethu, Kohima, along with four short landing strips at strategic locations in Ciethu, Mokokchung, Mon and Tuensang, also featured among the projects. Ciethu is envisaged as the hub of air operations, with an airport equipped with the necessary infrastructure that could be expanded into a full-fledged facility capable of handling larger aircraft in the future.
The Cabinet also appreciated the proposal to establish an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Nagaland, for which the State Government has allotted 260 acres of land at Nagaki city in the Chathe Valley of Chümoukedima district. For a proposed greenfield All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the State has allotted another 200 acres at the same location.
Other projects include the establishment of a modern incubation facility at Nagaki city to catalyse economic activity, create opportunities for young people and ease pressure on other major urban centres; development of the Tizu-Zungki waterways; and three proposed hydropower projects—the 42 MW Lower Tizu Hydro Electric Project, the 24 MW Zungki Hydro Electric Project and the 24 MW Tizu Valley Hydro Electric Project.
The Cabinet expressed appreciation for the Central Government’s support and guidance, stating that the ongoing ceasefire and peace process had brought dividends in the form of peace, stability and tranquility over the years.
It noted that tourism and other development sectors had witnessed considerable growth, with tourism emerging as an increasingly important pillar of Nagaland’s economy and a source of livelihood and employment, particularly for young people.
However, the Cabinet expressed concern that the reimposition of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in Nagaland in December 2024 had adversely affected tourism and investment in the State.
The State Government, the statement said, had made repeated representations to the Centre seeking withdrawal of the PAP regime. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly had also unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Government of India to withdraw the permit regime currently applicable to the State and restore the earlier relaxation.
The Cabinet expressed hope that the Central Government would give favourable consideration to the State’s request and lift the PAP regime at the earliest.
