Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday hailed the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre, Assam, and Nagaland, describing it as a historic breakthrough that resolves a decades-old dispute and paves the way for large-scale oil and gas exploration in the region.
HM Shah said the agreement reflects the spirit of national unity and cooperative federalism.
“A historic tripartite MoU has been signed by the Government of India, the Government of Assam, and the Government of Nagaland, ending a decades-long dispute in the Northeast and opening the way for oil and gas exploration in the region,” he said in a post on X.
The Home Minister said the agreement serves as a model of cooperation, with both states setting aside their differences in the larger national interest.
“It stands out as an exemplar of India’s unity, where both states have chosen to move beyond disputes to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an energy-independent India,” Shah added.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony on Thursday, HM Shah emphasized the principle of “Nation First”, stating that the agreement creates a win-win situation for the Centre as well as the two northeastern states.
He noted that Assam and Nagaland had agreed not to allow long-standing concerns over the disputed area to impede the extraction of valuable natural resources.
“Both states decided not to let these concerns hinder the extraction of India’s oil resources and instead agreed to a 50-50 revenue-sharing arrangement. This is national wealth, and I believe such a spirit is vital for the country’s progress,” HM Shah said.
The Home Minister also praised the leadership of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for demonstrating flexibility and statesmanship in reaching the agreement.
“I know that Himanta ji is very determined when it comes to protecting Assam’s interests. However, when I requested him to set aside this particular issue in the larger national interest, he agreed. Most importantly, this agreement appears to open the door for mineral exploration and mining across the entire Northeast,” HM Shah said.
Highlighting the economic significance of the pact, the Home Minister said the agreement could dramatically boost oil production in the region. Current extraction levels, estimated at 1,000 to 1,500 barrels per day, could increase more than tenfold once exploration activities expand.
“A single field alone has the potential to generate recoveries exceeding ₹15,000 crore. Fully harnessing the oil and gas reserves across Nagaland could substantially reduce India’s dependence on energy imports,” he said.
The tripartite MoU was signed in the presence of Shah, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and the chief ministers of Assam and Nagaland.
The agreement covers exploration and production activities across more than 1,000 square kilometres along the Assam-Nagaland border, a region believed to hold significant reserves of oil, natural gas, and other mineral resources.
(With ANI inputs)
