Tripartite MoU for Mineral Oil Operations in Northeast
In the presence of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed on June 11, 2026, between the Government of India, Government of Assam, and Government of Nagaland to facilitate mineral oil operations in the Assam-Nagaland boundary areas. The signing ceremony in New Delhi was attended by Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio.
The agreement represents a historic moment that will open possibilities for oil and natural gas exploration as well as mineral mining across the entire Northeast region. Notably, the Nagaland government has agreed to permit oil exploration across the entire state beyond the previously designated six fields, with the Assam government also in agreement, creating what Home Minister Shah described as a "win-win situation for all stakeholders."
Production Capacity and Economic Impact
The MoU is expected to significantly boost production capacity, with current extraction levels of 1,000–1,500 barrels per day potentially increasing by more than tenfold. The vast reserves of oil, gas, and minerals available in Nagaland are expected to help reduce India's dependence on foreign sources for oil and gas. Home Minister Shah expressed confidence that the extraction of these resources would significantly reduce India's foreign dependence in this sector.
The agreement establishes a coordinated framework for facilitating mineral oil operations in the area, ensuring operational continuity, safety and security of personnel and assets, and effective coordination among all stakeholders. This framework is expected to support exploration and production activities, encourage investment in the upstream petroleum sector, and contribute toward India's energy security objectives.
Regional Development and Security Context
The MoU comes amid significant improvements in the Northeast's security situation, with Home Minister Shah noting that nearly 80% of the Northeast has been freed from the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), and expressed confidence that with the exception of one or two states, AFSPA would be completely withdrawn from the entire Northeast by next year. Since 2019, twelve different peace agreements have been signed, resulting in an approximately 80% reduction in violence across the region.
The Ministry of Home Affairs facilitated the discussions leading to the MoU signing in close coordination with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the state governments. The agreement reflects the shared commitment to ensure a stable, secure, and conducive environment for petroleum exploration and production activities in the identified 'Areas of Interest' and underscores the spirit of cooperative federalism among all stakeholders.