European NGOs and the Naga freedom struggle: transnational engagements.

The signing of the Peace Accord between the NSCN-IM and the Indian Government in August 2015 brought to an end the sixty plus years long armed struggle between the two parties. This decades old conflict has claimed thousands of lives from both sides, leaving a trail of blood and tears along the way. There have been quite a few players and stakeholders in the process, who have made the signing of the Peace Accord possible, or have offered aid to the Naga regions and thus contributed to the regional development and stability. Most notable among these players, but often the most overlooked are the European NGOs. These NGOs have provided the Nagas their much needed links with the rest of the world, and voice outside India. This research looks into two such organizations: Naga International Support Center (NISC) based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and another European NGO (to be referred to as: ENGO), exploring the transnational relationships and solidarities, studying the work of these two organizations. The research found out that the two organizations have very different ways of working, the former engaged in political support and transnational solidarity, the latter in development aid. Each way has its own consequences in terms of who is the main partner and what can be achieved in the process. This points to some of the implications of the cooperation for understanding transnational advocacy.