After years of political agitation, the long-standing demand for a Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA) took a decisive turn on February 5, 2026, with the signing of a tripartite agreement between the Government of India, the Nagaland state government and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO).
The agreement, signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, proposes a “unique autonomous administrative arrangement” for six eastern districts: Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator and Tuensang.
“With this agreement, we have moved one step closer to resolve all the issues of the Nagaland and we… will work together to push Eastern Nagaland forward,” Shah said.
Eastern Nagaland has for decades voiced concerns of political marginalization, uneven development and administrative neglect, grievances that intensified into demands for a separate Frontier Nagaland state.
Shah said that long-standing concerns among the people of Eastern Nagaland were being addressed, stating that negotiations had now reached a positive outcome. Referring to historical anxieties in the region, he noted that after the creation of Nagaland, many in Eastern Nagaland feared they would be sidelined in the development process.
Assuring stakeholders, particularly the ENPO, Shah said that both the Government of India and the Government of Nagaland had clearly defined their responsibilities through an agreement. He added that the Centre would play a significant role in supporting the region’s development and would take responsibility in the implementation phase.
“I want to assure my colleagues in ENPO today that the Government of India and the Government of Nagaland have defined their responsibilities through an agreement, and the Government of India will also provide significant assistance and take responsibility for the development of Eastern Nagaland. We have no reason to doubt either the Government of Nagaland or the Government of India. A fixed amount will be determined each year, and the initial expenses for your establishment will also be provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India,” he said.
Sources familiar with the ongoing FNTA negotiations indicated that the proposed FNTA legislative body may comprise 42 members, including 40 elected and two nominated representatives. The interim government is also expected to oversee delimitation and conduct elections, although its composition remains under discussion.
“Composition of the same is yet to be finalized, however, the 8 ENPO tribes will likely nominate a member each for the Interim body,” said the source.
The Nagaland chief minister and the ENPO delegates are likely to return from Delhi on February 6.
Highlighting the significance of the pact, Shah said the negotiations were notable because they were conducted directly between the Nagaland government and the ENPO, with the Centre acting primarily as facilitator.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio framed the agreement as a trust-building exercise rather than a structural division of the state.
“It’s my strong belief this agreement will showcase trust among all sections and address the aspirations of the Eastern Nagaland region and the people of the state as a whole,” Rio said.
The CM also congratulated the brothers and sisters of Eastern Nagaland on this significant milestone and complimented each and every one of them for the journey that they have undertaken to achieve this landmark.
“It is our hope and aspiration that the Centre will continue to help, assist and guide us in our quest for all-round development,” said Rio.
With the full agreement and the signed document yet to be made public, the coming weeks are likely to test whether the FNTA emerges as a bridge between aspirations and state unity or opens a new chapter of political negotiation within Nagaland.
The Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA) agreement provides for the establishment of a mini-Secretariat, headed by an Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary, and mandates the sharing of the development outlay for Eastern Nagaland in proportion to its population and area, a Ministry of Home Affairs statement said. The statement, issued through the BIP, clarified that the arrangement does not affect the provisions of Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India.
The agreement envisions overall development of Eastern Nagaland through financial autonomy and enhanced decision-making powers, aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, promoting economic empowerment, and ensuring optimal resource utilization.
The FNTA framework reflects the Government of India’s commitment to resolving longstanding issues in the Northeast through dialogue, demonstrating that democratic solutions are achieved through negotiation and mutual respect rather than violence or armed conflict, the statement said.