A recent article in The Diplomat, citing declassified British intelligence records, suggests Kathmandu was willing to back the NNC’s diplomatic efforts at the UN in the early 1960s
An article published on January 9, 2026 in The Diplomat has shed light on a lesser-known chapter of Naga political history, suggesting that the Nepal government was willing to support the Naga National Council (NNC)’s attempt to raise the Naga issue at the United Nations during the early 1960s.
The article, written by journalist and researcher Rajeev Bhattacharyya, cites declassified British intelligence documents accessed by the publication.
According to the report, a British intelligence note stated that “in June 1962 George Patterson reported that the Nepalese Government were willing to give written support to the Naga delegation at the United Nations.”
The documents reportedly also mentioned that British journalist David Astor had approached Ireland to raise the Naga issue at the UN, while Reverend Michael Scott “frequently advocated United Nations intervention in Nagaland.”
The developments came after NNC leader Angami Zapu Phizo escaped to the United Kingdom in 1960 via East Pakistan using an El Salvadoran passport, according to the article. From London, Phizo reportedly campaigned extensively to internationalise the Naga issue and sought to bring it before the United Nations.
While the issue was never formally raised at the UN General Assembly, the article suggests that sections of the NNC leadership were actively pursuing international diplomatic support during that period.
The report further noted that Nepal’s reported willingness to support the Naga cause came at a time of strained India-Nepal relations, particularly over Kathmandu’s attempts to expand diplomatic ties with countries outside India’s sphere of influence.
Although Nepal never emerged as a major base for the NNC, the article also references later instances of ‘Northeast insurgent groups’ using Nepal for networking, transit and political outreach.
The report sheds light on lesser-known international dimensions of the Naga political movement, particularly attempts during the Cold War era to seek international recognition beyond South Asia.
