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India Central Asia Relations

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India Central Asia Relations

This article deals with ‘India Central Asia Relations.’ This is part of our series on ‘International Relations’, which is an important pillar of the GS-2 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

What is Central Asia?

India Central Asia Relations
  • Central Asia is a region made up of five nations forming the underbelly of Russia. These include
Country  Capital
Kazakhstan Astana
Kyrgyzstan Bishkek
Tajikistan Dushanbe
Turkmenistan Ashgabat
Uzbekistan Tashkent
  • These countries gained independence in 1991 after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
  • These countries are landlocked but are ultra-rich in resources and have sparse populations.
  • India considers the Central Asian countries part of its ‘extended and strategic neighbourhood’.  

Historical Connection with India

  • Al -Beruni came to India in the 11th century from Central Asia. He authored a famous book named Tahkik ul Hind.
  • Babur, who founded Mughal Empire in India, was a native of Uzbekistan (Ferghana province).

Politics of the region

  • Although these countries achieved their independence in 1991, authoritarian regimes have remained in power (except Kyrgyzstan.)  
  • They have not opened up their economies and always feared that western countries, especially the US supported by NATO, might try to change the regime like what happened in Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan in 2005.  

Economy of these States

  • States which have a strong economies are
    • Kazakhstan with high per capita income
    • Turkmenistan, which is a major supplier of gas  
  • But this is not the case with other states. E.g. Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan are economically weak because they don’t have hydrocarbon resources. These states are still dependent on Russia (For example, Tajikistan’s primary source of revenue is remittances from Russia).

Importance for India

1. Natural resources

The Central Asian region is endowed with rich natural resources

  1. Turkmenistan: It has the 4th largest gas reserves. India is part of the TAPI Pipeline starting in Turkmenistan
  2. Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan is rich in gas resources.
  3. Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan is rich in oil and Uranium (KazAtomPro)
  4. Tajikistan: Tajikistan has vast hydropower potential 

Since India is an energy-hungry nation, these nations are natural allies in this respect.

2. Strategic Location

  • It is located at the bridge between  Europe and Asia. 
  • The central lynchpin in this is the International North-South Corridor.

3. Security

  • Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan border Afghanistan. After the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Central Asian nations and India can cooperate to control terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan. 
  • Central Asia is known for its moderate practice of Islam. It can act as a counter to the radical Wahabist ideology of Islam.
  • India’s only foreign military airbase, i.e. Air Base in Farkhor (Tajikistan), operated by IAF.  
Farkhor Airbase in Tajikistan
Farkhor Airbase (of India) in Tajikistan

4. Trade

  • Trade between India & Central Asia is roughly $2 billion compared to their $50 billion trade with China. Hence, there is enormous untapped potential.   
  • Indian pharma and drugs, tea and coffee, are in huge demand in Central Asia.  
  • Various Indian Companies are involved in Energy Projects in Central Asia. These include
    • NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kazakhstan (KazAtomPro) 
    • ONGC, Mittal Energy & KazMe2unaiGaz (KMG) have signed a deal regarding the offshore Satpayev Oil Block in the Caspian Sea.
    • BHEL & NHPC are working on hydro projects in Tajikistan 

5. The demand for Indian Products

  • Indian Pharma and Drugs, Tea and Coffee have a huge demand in Central Asian countries.
  • Bollywood is popular in Central Asian countries. 

6. Drug Trafficking

  • Tajikistan is a gateway for Afghan Drugs to Central Asia. This money is used for funding terror activities against India too.

Steps taken by India

  • Connect Central Asia Policy: Dealt below.
  • India has stepped up its multilateral engagements with Central Asian Countries through forums such as Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Eurasian Community etc.
  • India has renewed its efforts toward the completion of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
  • India has signed the Ashgabat Agreement.
  • Indian government invited the leaders of the Central Asian nations as the Chief Guest for 2022 Republic Day. 

TAPI Pipeline

TAPI Pipeline
  • TAPI pipeline aims to bring gas from Turkmenistan to India while passing through Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It has the following advantages

  • It will help bring energy to India and its neighbours at a competitive price.
  • It will help India diversify its fuel basket. 
  • It can help to normalize the relations between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  • It will help stabilize Afghanistan as it can earn revenue through transit fees. 

But there are challenges as well

  • Finance: Nearly 85 % of the project cost is expected to be incurred by Turkmenistan, which is currently facing economic hardship
  •  Security: The region through which the TAPI pipeline passes is turbulent. 
  • Geopolitics: Diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan are not conducive for a venture such as the TAPI pipeline.

Connect Central Asia (2012)

  • India’s initiative for political, economic & cultural proximity with Central Asia 
  • It was propounded in 2012. 
  • The main Aspects of the initiative include 
    • Cooperation in science and technology 
    • Educational Exchange 
    • Helping Infrastructural Development in Central Asia 
    • Regular Summit Meetings and other exchanges  
  • It focuses on socio-economic-political cooperation.

Ashgabat Agreement

  • The agreement was signed between the governments of Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, which Kazakhstan and Pakistan later joined in 2016. India joined the grouping in 2018.
  • The agreement aims to establish international transport and transit corridor linking Central Asia with the Persian Gulf. It will be achieved via easy customs clearances, fast transport etc.
First Joining Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran via Rail line
Second Making shipping corridors at Bandar Abbas and Chabahar

Constraints in relation

1. Landlocked and Inaccessible

  • Central Asian region is landlocked and has poor connectivity with India.
  • To address this, the following connectivity initiatives have been started 
    1. International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
    2. Building Chabahar Port in Iran
    3. India has joined Shanghai Cooperation Organization 
    4. The process of signing the free trade agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union has been fast-tracked
    5. India has signed Ashgabat Agreement 
    6. Connect Central Asia Policy 
    7. TAPI Pipeline 

2. Takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban

  • It has made access to Central Asian countries even more difficult.

3. Chinese presence and interest

  • China is making considerable inroads in Central Asia through the One Belt One Road initiative.

4. Radicalisation and Terrorism

  • Central Asia is vulnerable to radical Islamist influences like Al Qaeda, Islamic State, Taliban, IUM, Hizb-ut-Tahrir and others.

5. Other Issues

  • “Youth bulge” with huge unemployment and limited economic opportunities
  • Serious and worsening corruption
  • Potentially restive minority populations (such as the ethnic Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan )
  • Drug trafficking

Chinese Challenge

  • China has invested a massive $35 Billion in Central Asian states. 
  • Central Asian states are an important part of the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB). 
  • Most of the Chinese investments are in the field of energy. Notable projects include
    1. Pipeline from Turkmenistan To China 
    2. Pipeline from Kazakhstan to China

Investment Comparison: India vs. China

  China India
Investment $35 billion $1.6 billion
Trade $50 billion $2 billion

Way Forward

  • India should consider setting up an India-Central Asia Forum (on the lines of the India-Africa Forum)   
  • India should develop the Chabahar port on a priority basis.  
  • India should focus on Telemedicine, Tele-education etc., i.e. areas where India is strong & where geography doesn’t matter much.
  • India should utilize the potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Nuclear Energy as Power Source in India – Advantages and Disadvantages

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Nuclear Energy as Power Source in India – Advantages and Disadvantages

This article deals with ‘Nuclear Energy as Power Source in India – Advantages and Disadvantages .’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is important pillar of GS-3 syllabus . For more articles , you can click here

Installed capacity of India

As of April 2017 => 6,780 MW (6.78 GW) which constitutes ~2% of installed capacity of India

Nuclear Energy as Power Source in India - Advantages and Disadvantages

Problems with Nuclear Power generation in India

1.India’s domestic Uranium Reserve can support only 100 GW of energy.

  • Our future depends upon  development of third stage of Nuclear Program without which will remain dependant on imported Uranium as it is case with Oil currently.

2. Current Nuclear reactors consume significant amount of water.

  • Hence most of upcoming plants will be set up near sea coasts. It will put pressure on the coastline & Western  Ghats.

3. There are long gestation periods which increase costs of the plant significantly.

4. New safeguard requirements post Fukushima disaster has pushed per MW costs of Nuclear Reactors significantly higher in comparison to Thermal, Solar and Wind Plants.

  • Jaitapur plant in Maharashtra (AREVA) is expected to cost 20 crore/ MW in comparison other sources cost 4 crore/ MW.

5. Some argue that Total costs of a Nuclear Lifecycle which involves Mining of Uranium, transportation , handling of waste generated etc is significantly more than economic value generated during lifetime of the functioning of the plant

6. Nuclear installations will be favorite targets of terrorists  which can cause irreversible damage to people 

So, Should Nuclear Energy be used ?

Strong arguments which justify use of nuclear energy are

  • No Green House Gases (GHGs) are emitted in Nuclear Power generation  => Helps to fight Global Warming
  • It generates very limited waste in quantity (although far more hazardous in quality). 
  • Helpful to achieve Paris Pledges => 40% of energy from Non-fossil sources till 2020
  • Increases image of country as technologically advanced nation .
  • Non fluctuating source of renewable energy. Solar, Wind etc energy depend on sunshine, wind speed etc and hence fluctuate

But

  • Cost of power from new nuclear reactors is increasing significantly post Fukushima Disaster . Power from new reactors costs between Rs. 6.2-6.5/Unit 
  • In case of any nuclear leakage & accident in nuclear power plants, damage is immense & incurable
  • Land acquisition issues ,  need for large water reservoirs for the reactors, & concerns about a possible tsunami scenario 
  • Major Nuclear Companies like Toshiba-owned Westinghouse, Areva etc are on verge of Bankruptcy pointing towards fact that Nuclear Energy has become unviable
  • Investing in Solar and Wind Energy is better option  . Cost of Solar Energy has decreased to around ₹4.5 / kWh compared to ₹6.5 kWh of Nuclear Energy
  • Uranium contamination of ground water due to Mining. Eg : in Rajasthan

Conclusion : India is producing miniscule 2% of its energy from Nuclear Energy. Although we should increase this share but at the same time safety protocol should be updated

Indian Nuclear Sector

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Indian Nuclear Sector

This article deals with ‘Indian Nuclear Sector.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is important pillar of GS-3 syllabus . For more articles , you can click here

Aim of the nuclear research in India

  • Peaceful use of the nuclear energy
  • Power generation
  • Applications in the agriculture
  • Medical sciences, industrial application etc

Organisational set up

Indian Nuclear Sector

Department of Atomic Energy( DAE)

  • Formed  in 1954
  • Headquarters – Mumbai
  • Directly under PMO
  • Responsible  for the Nuclear energy including nuclear power and research

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board( AERB)

  • Setup in 1983
  • Under Atomic Energy Act ,1962
  • For regulating nuclear sector

Some institutions running under DAE

1.R&D sector

BARC

  • Bhaba Atomic Research Centre
  • Headquartered in Bombay
  • Formed in 1954 in Trombay (Mumbai)
  • Involved in research and development (R&D) in the field of Nuclear Energy.
  • Made  research reactors like Apsara (1956), Zerlina (1961) etc

IGCAR(Indira Gandhi Centre for Advanced Research)

  • Headquartered in Kalpakkam
  • Formed in 1981
  • Made various reactors for producing energy   . Eg Tarapur (1969), Rawatbhata (1981) etc
  • Currently working on PFBR (2nd Stage Reactor)

Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology

  • Situated in Indore
  • Doing work in advanced technology like Atomic Energy , Nano Tech, robotics etc

Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre

  • Situated in Kolkata

Atomic Minerals Division (AMD)

  • Situated in Hyderabad
  • Looks after availability of Nuclear Fuels in India 

2. Public Sector Undertakings

NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd)

  • Situated in Mumbai
  • Incharge of First stage of Nuclear Plants
  • All 24 Nuclear Energy  Plants in India are working under it

BHAVINI 

  • Bhavini = Bhartiya Nuclear Vidyut Nigam Limited
  • Situated in Kalpakkam
  • incharge of second stage -> PFBR operated by it

Uranium Corporation of India ltd (UCIL)

  • Situated in Jaduguda
  • Extract Uranium and process it to yellow cake

Indian Rare Earth ltd

  • Situated in Mumbai

3. Industrial sector

Heavy Water Board Mumbai
Nuclear Recycling Board Mumbai
Nuclear Fuel Complex Hyderabad
Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology Mumbai

4. Aided institutions

TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental research) Bombay
Tara Memorial Centre Bombay
Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Kolkata
Institute of Physics Bhubaneswar
Institute of the Mathematical sciences Madras

India and Atomic Bomb

  • Indian Government formed Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) post independence which has conducted 2 successful Nuclear tests till date
1st May 1974 Smiling Budha Based on Nuclear Fission
2nd May 1998 Shakti Both Nuclear Fission and Fusion (Hydrogen bomb)
  • Indian Nuclear Program is considered better than rest of nuclear powers of the world because
    • India has adopted ‘No First Use Policy’ .
    • Indian Atomic Bombs are under Civilian Government.
    • Indian Nuclear Bombs are of minimal capacity of destruction .

Security Issues in North East

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Security Issues in North East

In this article , we will discuss Security Issues in North East .

8 Sister States ie Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya , Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh are known as North Eastren States of India.

This region is the most insurgency affected region of India and in this article , we will look into insurgencies and security issues in various North-Eastern states

Reasons for   lack  of  development  in  North-East

Centralized Governance  Indigenous people have little share in political and economic structures at central level. This centralized approach has deprived the locals from determining the nature and context of the problem thereby frustrating their aspirations of autonomy.
Economy controlled by outsiders Indigenous people have little role to play in the economy of the region. Eg : most of the plantation industry is dominated  by the immigrant labor force.
Connectivity issue
  • Due to partition of India , North East turned to landlocked country.
  • After 1962 war, Union didn’t built high grade roads and other infra in fear that it can lead to faster movement of Chinese troops.
Lack of infrastructure Lack  of  infrastructure  in  the  region  which  has  subsequently  culminated  into  lack  of industrialization  in  the  region.
Ethnic issues
  • North East has large number of Tribal Ethnicities and they usually rose against each other
  • Ethnic discord marked by some communities being branded “outsiders”
        • Chakma issue in Mizoram,
        • Hill versus valley disturbances in Manipur
        • longstanding NRC issue in Assam
        • Attacks on Sikh residents in Meghalaya
        • Chakma/Hajong citizenship issue in Arunachal Pradesh itself.
AFSPA Imposition of AFSPA has led to the feeling of discontentment
Land acquisition problems The  land  records  are  not  digitized,  and  land  surveys  are  not  done  and  land  records are  not  updated  at  regular  intervals.
Political representation One  of  the  key  reasons  for  not  giving  the  North-East  a  high  priority,  many  argue, is  the  fact  that  it  only  sends  24  Members  of  Parliament  to  the  Lok  Sabha,  out  of which  Assam  alone  sends  14.

Reasons for Insurgencies in North East

Pre Independence Reasons
  • Tribes were not brought under a strict political control and rigid regulations.
  • British tribal policy and Christian education are believed to be the genesis of demands of Independence from India
Post Independence
  • Ethnic and cultural  specificities were ignored during the process of delineation of state boundaries in the 1950s, giving rise to discontentment and assertion of one’s identity
  • Underdevelopment, Poverty, unemployment, lack of connectivity, inadequate health care and educational facilities
  • Governance deficit
  • Migration of people from the plains posing economic, cultural and political threat to the tribals.
  • Hostile neighbours extending moral and material support owing to porous international borders
  • Deep sense of alienation due to human right violation and excesses by security forces.
  • Imposition of AFSPA has led to the feeling of discontentment
  • Difficult terrain and weak infrastructure facilitating insurgents involved in conflict.

Impact of Insurgencies on North East

  • Lack of investment in the region especially in untapped potential for hydro-electric power due to lack of security
  • Economy severely affected due to extortion of “taxes” by various factions on local people, businesses, officials etc
  • Narcotic trade due to its position in vicinity of Golden Triangle impacting young generation

Strategy

Mix  of  development , military power, governance , dialogue and ceasefireSecurity Challenges in North East

Development
  • Act East Policy : Kaladan Multimodal Project , IMT highway , BCIM etc
  • Infra development . Japan also interested to fund
  • Seven  States  of  the  region  enjoy  special  category  status  to  develop  backward  areas.
  • Development of tourism
  • Job promotion in BPO sector => North East BPO Promotion Scheme
  • Promotion of Organic food
Governance
  • Governance – North East Council, Schedule 6 etc
  • Ratio in assistance from Central Government in Core Scheme =   90:10
  • Decentralisation of powers among the tribes
Military Power
  • AFSPA in place in insurgency hit areas
Dialogue
  • Eg : Indian Government in dialogue with NSCN and other Naga groups and is on verge of signing accord .

Topic : Assam Issue

Background

  1. British developed the tea industry in Assam. They imported labour from Bihar & other provinces to work in tea gardens.
  2. Assamese people living mostly in Upper Assam and cultivating one crop per year, were not interested in working as labour in the tea gardens nor in increasing or expanding land cultivation .Therefore, British encouraged Bengali Muslim peasants from present Bangladesh to move into Lower Assam for putting virgin land under cultivation.
  3. Later during 1971 crisis, large number of Bangladeshi Muslims (+ Hindus) too came in Assam. This pattern is going on even after that

Socio-political movement started by  Assamese people in 1979 to evict illegal Bangladeshis ended in Assam Accord in 1985.

Reason for Migration from Bangladesh

  • Increasing pressure on land and mounting unemployment in Bangladesh due to rise in population. Large segments of population in Bangladesh uprooted by severe floods and cyclones
  • Porous India Bangladesh border
  • Better economic conditions in India

Security Challenge

  • Lead to agitations in which public property is damaged : failure of government to respond the issue of illegal migration led to the agitation by Assamese (culminating in Assam Accord)
  • Illegal Voters : Most of the illegal Bangladeshis have got their names enlisted in the voting list illegally, thereby claiming themselves as citizens of the state. The immigrant’s population act s as a vote bank for the political parties in Assam.
  • Issue of terrorism:  Pakistan’s ISI has been active in Bangladesh supporting militant movements in Assam.  Among the illegal migrants there are also militants

Way Out

  • Diplomatic Effort: India has to make diplomatic effort to get Bangladesh to cooperate as illegal migration cannot be solved unless sending country cooperates. Sharing of digital database of its citizens will make it easier.
  • Better Border Management: Fencing, construction of border roads and proper management of border will make a difference
  • Bar from Voting rights: Illegal migrants should not be allowed to vote and this will diminish their ability to influence government decisions by being a political force

Side Topic : ULFA

  • Demand = Separate country of Assam
  • Formed in 1979 against the backdrop of All Assam Student Union’s agitation against foreigners. It established close relationship with organisations such as NSCN of Nagaland . Their objective is to create independent Assam through armed struggle. It conducted several terrorist activities throughout 1990s
  •  ULFA claims that Assam was never a part of India as the Treaty of Yandabu was signed between two imperial powers without the consent of Assamese people.
  • 2011 : Tripartite Agreement between Union Government, State of Assam and ULFA for suspension of operations of ULFA .
  • At present , ULFA is divided into two factions – ULFA (PTF) and ULFA (ATF) ie Pro and Anti Talk Faction .

Topic : Manipur
  • Most insurgent state of North-East
  • More than 15 violent insurgent groups are present

Issue

  • There is clear divide between hill and valley people
  1. Meiteis : Valley people
  2. Nagas and Kukis : Hill people
  • Hill areas are affected by the actions of Nagas and Kukis . The people of hill areas feel that Meitis are an  influential group thereby compromising their interest . Meiteis on the other hand feels threatened due to powers and status given to Kuki and Naga people after the independence .

Groups active here

UNLF
  • United National Liberation Front
  • Oldest Meitei insurgent group which seeks to create an independent and socialist Manipur
PLA
  • People’s Liberation Army
  • It is a Meitei organisation that aims to organise the entire North-East into a revolutionary front and bring together all the ethnic groups under a single umbrella
PREPAK
  • People’s Liberation Army of Kanglipak
  • Their aim is to expel the outsiders from Manipur
KYKL
  • Another Meitei insurgent group
  • Their aim is to cleanise Manipuri society of evils like drugs
KNA Kuki National Army (demanding Zalengam consisting of areas of India & Myanmar)

Tripura
  • Mass migration since 1947 altered the demography of Tripura from a tribal area to Bengali speaking majority area. Tribals were deprieved of their agricultural land which led to the emergence of Tripura National Volunteers .
  • In 1990, All Tripura National Force was formed which carried out periodic terrorist attacks . Their objective is expulsion of Bengali immigrants and removal of their names from the electoral rolls
  • National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) whose objective is to create independent of Tripura through armed struggle

Topic: Nagaland

Terms involved
Naga Naga people are a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. As of 2012, the state of Nagaland  officially recognises 17 Naga tribes.

Prominent Naga tribes include Poumai, Sumi, Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Liangmai, Lotha, Pochury, Rongmei,Zeme, Mao.
Greater Nagalim Region carved out by integrating all Naga-inhabited contiguous areas under one administrative umbrella .It includes several districts of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur, as also a large tract of Myanmar. The map of “Greater Nagalim” has about 1,20,000sq km, while the state of Nagaland consists of 16,527 sq km .
AFSPA An act of the Parliament of India that grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces in what the act terms “disturbed areas”.

Timeline in Naga Struggle

1826 Assam annexed by Britishers
1881 Naga hill too became a part of British India
1918
  • Root of conflict started in 1918
  • Formation of the Naga Club by 20 members of the Naga French Labour Corp, who had served in World War I. The wartime knowledge motivated the few who had come in contact with the European battlefield to politically organise themselves as a distinct ethnic political entity.
1929 Club had submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929, in which it stated that the people of Naga areas and that of mainland India had nothing in common between them. Therefore, it would benefit both to stay separate and form their own political entity as and when the British left India.
1946
  • Club was further reinforced with the formation of the Naga National Council (NNC) under the leadership of A.Z Phizo, a charismatic leader belonging to the Angami tribe.
  • Phizo had been trained by the British, especially Major General Wingate during World War II on the Burma Front against Japanese forces & he utilised knowledge to impart training in guerrilla warfare to NNC members.
1947
  • Nine Point Agreement known as  Akbar Hydari Agreement was signed between NNC leaders T. Sakhrie, Imkonglba Ao and the Governor of Assam, Sir Akbar Hydari on 29 June 1947.
  • The Agreement gave the Nagas rights over their land as well as executive and legislative powers, but within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.
  • The Agreement was rejected by Phizo. On 14 August 1947, the NNC led by Phizo declared independence.
1952 Formation of Naga Federal Government and Naga Federal Army which involved in violent clashes.
  1950s, 1960s and 1970s were a tumultuous period in Naga history with militancy on the rise coupled by the state’s military response propelled by acts like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, amended in 1972.
1962 Efforts for peace were made by the Union Government with the grant of statehood to Nagaland in 1963 and the establishment of a peace mission in 1964.
1975
  • It was the loss of bases in East Pakistan in 1972, with the emergence of a new nation-Bangladesh, as well as the constant pressure from Indian security forces that motivated the NNC under Z. Huire to sign  Shillong Accord.
  • The Shillong Accord however repeated the tragic story of the 9 Point Agreement, in that it split the Naga rebel movement.
  • The Shillong Accord was the proximate cause for the formation of the original unified National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).
1980 Thuingaleng Muivah rejected the accord and formed Nationalist Social Council of Nagaland (NSCN).
1988
  • Due to intense differences with existing leadership Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah formed NSCN (IM) on 31 January 1988.
  • Followed by the further spilt of S. S. Khaplang led faction and formation of the NSCN (Khaplang) another National Socialist Council of Nagaland, named after its leader came to dominate in Naga inhabited areas.
1990s NSCN(IM)  becomes the largest insurgent outfit in Nagaland demanding Greater Nagalim.
1997 NSCN(IM) signs cease fire
2001 NSCN (K) (Khaplang) signs cease fire
2012 New NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) group was formed as a breakaway faction of the NSCN (K).
March 2015 NSCN (K) breaks cease fire
Aug 2015 Naga Peace Accord Signed with NSCN (IM)

      • NSCN has vowed allegiance to the constitution of India. The details of the accord are yet to come in public domain.
      • Issue : NSCN-IM has been insistent on the integration of Naga-inhabited areas into a greater Nagaland, which they call Nagalim and would involve the partition of three states — Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and inclusion of areas in Myanmar.

NSCN (IM), which views itself as the sole representative of the Naga people in peace dialogue , is being increasingly threatened on its home turf by the NSCN (Khole and Kitovi) faction.

  • While NSCN (Khaplang) is a major threat to the NSCN (IM) as a rival armed actor, its influence in terms of social legitimacy in Naga inhabited areas in India has been limited at best, due to the fact that its Chairman Khaplang belongs to Myanmar .
  • The Khole-Kitovi faction is however, a real challenge to the NSCN (IM)’s sphere of influence given the fact that both leaders are from Nagaland.

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