Assam, Nagaland CMs discuss oil exploration & border issues

April 22, 2023 12 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, April 22 (MExN): After Assam and Arunachal Pradesh signed an agreement to settle the long-pending disputes along their over 800 km border, the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio on April 20.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Twitter “we had an engaging discussion on bringing closure to the ongoing boundary issue and other areas of mutual gains and collaboration.”

Meanwhile, according to a report from the Press Trust of India (PTI), the Assam and Nagaland Chief Ministers also agreed in principle to go ahead with oil exploration in areas along their disputed boundary for the economic benefit of both states.

Assam and Nagaland are exploring all options to bring an end to the decades-old border imbroglio in an amicable manner, an Assam government statement said. During their one-to-one discussion here, the two chief ministers discussed issues of mutual interest and collaboration on oil exploration along the inter-state boundary, it said.

Rio meanwhile told reporters that Assam and Nagaland have in principle decided to go for an MoU on oil exploration in the disputed areas so that oil can be extracted and royalties can be shared between the neighbouring states.

“Once it is formalised, there is huge potential for exploration of oil inside Nagaland also. And to move forward as the country needs oil in a big way,” he said.

The Nagaland Chief Minister said he had a fruitful discussion with his Assam counterpart on the out-of-court settlement of the boundary dispute with the support and cooperation of ethnic groups from both sides.

“We have discussed about our border and development issues. Because we have to work together, support one another and how to go forward,” he added.