INDIA MUST UPHOLD THE MILAN AGREEMENT
The “Milan Agreement” of November 18, 2002 refers to a declaration made during peace negotiations in Italy between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM). It formally established that the NSCN was not a BANNED ORGANIZATION in the eyes of the Indian Government.
The agreement officially acknowledged that the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) was not designated as a banned or “TERRORIST” organization by the Government of India. It separated the NSCN from designated terrorist organizations, paving the way for sustained political dialogue and peace negotiations.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Th. Muivah, General Secretary of NSCN and K. Padmanabhaiah, Representative of the Government of India. The MoU helped solidify the ongoing peace process in the Northeast, aligning with earlier ceasefire agreements (such as the 2001 Bangkok Agreement) by clarifying that ceasefires apply universally rather than within constrained territorial limits.
It coincided with a period where the Indian government formally began acknowledging the “unique history of the Nagas” during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA administration.
The agreement remains alive even to this day, and India must honour it for PEACE.
