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Devidas Gupta in Osaka
In a significant move to push forward the peace process in Nagaland, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee met National Socialist Council of Nagalim leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu in Osaka, Japan, on Saturday and agreed to work for a peaceful political settlement of the protracted Naga dispute.
During the 30-minute meeting at Hotel New Otani, both sides "reiterated that a negotiated, peaceful, political settlement" remained their objective, official sources said.
It was also agreed that further talks between the Indian government and the Isak-Muivah faction of the NSCN would take place "shortly", the sources said. They did not, however, give any timeframe or name a venue for the talks.
The meeting, which took place on the second day of Vajpayee's five-day visit to Japan, was attended by National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra and K Padmanabhaiah, the Centre's interlocutor for the peace process in Nagaland.
PTI
EARLIER REPORT: Vajpayee to meet NSCN-IM leaders in Osaka
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