Hurdles before Assam-Nagaland border oil exploration | Explained
A tripartite agreement to resume oil and gas exploration along the Assam-Nagaland border has faced opposition from local extremist and tribal organizations. Critics argue that long-standing political and boundary disputes must be resolved before resource extraction begins.
Why it matters
The project is vital for India's energy security, but highlights the complex intersection of regional political instability and national economic development.
The story so far: A tripartite agreement among the Central, Assam, and Nagaland governments on June 11 to resume oil and gas exploration along the disputed 512-km border between the two States has elicited sharp reactions. Extremist organisations in a ceasefire agreement and traditional tribe-based organisations said New Delhi should first ensure an honourable settlement of the “Indo-Naga political issue” and resolve the boundary issue before giving shape to the agreement.
Petroleum experts believe Nagaland, estimated to have 600 million tonnes of oil and natural gas reserves, has the potential to increase India’s onshore oil production by 75%. Exploration in the State, particularly along its resource-rich border with Assam, was halted in the 1990s due to extremism and opposition from local organisations.
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