Successful talks with NSCN (I-M) has started new journey: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that "successful" talks with NSCN (I-M) has started a journey of "walking together" and will lead to the development of not only Nagaland but the entire northeast region.

The Prime Minister also said successive governments have made efforts to bring peace and stability in the region though these have seen various ups and downs in the past.

"The credit does not go to any particular government and neither should they take it. Everyone contributed towards improving the situation. It is the result (of these efforts) that today in Nagaland there has been a successful dialogue with those people (NSCN(I-M) leaders).

"Everybody has seen the dream of development and joining the mainstream in not only Nagaland, but the entire northeast and the country. I am confident that the journey that has begun of walking together will bear best of results and the country will achieve greater heights," he said referring to the accord reached between NSCN (I-M) and the Centre.

Addressing a function here to commemorate the birth centenary of Rani Gaidinliu, a spiritual Naga leader who was born in Manipur and fought for India's independence, Modi said the push of his government has been on the development of infrastructure of the northeast region.

He said if the issue of connectivity is resolved then development would not be a problem. He said efforts were on to provide railway connectivity to state capitals in the region. Referring to pineapples grown in the region and chillis in Nagaland, he said the northeast can become the "organic capital" of the country.

The development of the region was vital for the country's growth, he said. The function was also attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Nagaland Governor P B Acharya and Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Manipur T R Zeliang and O Ibobi Singh respectively.