New Delhi: The Government of India has appointed retired IPS officer Ajit Lal as the new interlocutor for the Indo-Naga political dialogue, bringing back a veteran intelligence and security official with earlier experience of working on the Naga peace process.
The appointment comes amid renewed efforts to advance the long-running political dialogue. The NSCN (IM) has welcomed Mr Lal’s appointment, describing it as a “significant and encouraging” development and saying it reflected the Centre’s renewed resolve to pursue the talks with seriousness and urgency.
The reported negotiation framework is also expected to include a Union minister or a group of Union ministers. The NSCN (IM) has welcomed this proposed involvement, saying it could help expedite the political process.
Who Is Ajit Lal?
Mr Lal is a 1974-batch retired Indian Police Service officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre. During his career, he served in the Intelligence Bureau and rose to the position of Special Director.
He later headed the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) under the National Security Council Secretariat. He served as JIC chairman from 2011 until July 2014, when he completed his tenure. Contemporary government records also show that his contract as JIC chairman was extended for one month beyond June 2014.
His background in intelligence, counter-insurgency and Northeast affairs has brought him back into the Centre’s efforts to engage with political and insurgent groups in the region.
Ajit Lal’s Early IPS Career
Mr Lal began his career in Himachal Pradesh and served in field assignments before moving into intelligence responsibilities.
He served as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Shimla during the initial phase of his career and subsequently worked as Superintendent of Police in Kinnaur, a strategically sensitive border district.
He later spent a substantial part of his career with the Intelligence Bureau, eventually rising to Special Director.
His experience in intelligence and counter-insurgency subsequently led to his appointment to senior national-security positions.
Former Chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee
One of IPS Lal’s most significant assignments was as Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee under the National Security Council Secretariat.
He served as a Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
He headed the JIC from 2011 to July 2014. The position involved intelligence assessment and coordination at the national level.
After Mr Lal’s tenure ended, R.N. Ravi succeeded him as JIC chairman. Mr Ravi subsequently became the Centre’s interlocutor for the Naga peace talks in 2014.
His Earlier Connection With Naga Peace Talks
Mr Lal is not new to the Naga political issue.
In 2014, after the resignation of R.S. Pandey as interlocutor, the Union Home Ministry recommended Lal’s name for the position. Contemporary reports said Home Minister Rajnath Singh had backed Lal for the role.
However, the Centre ultimately appointed R.N. Ravi as the interlocutor for the Naga peace talks in August 2014.
This earlier association with the Naga dialogue has now become particularly relevant with Lal’s appointment as the new interlocutor in September 2026.
Returned as Northeast Adviser in 2026
Mr Lal returned to the Centre’s Northeast policy framework in February 2026 when he was appointed Adviser (Northeast) in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He replaced A.K. Mishra, another retired IPS officer who had been involved in talks with various groups in the Northeast, including Naga and Kuki-Zo groups. ThePrint reported that Lal was expected to take over these responsibilities following Mishra’s departure.
The Indian Express also reported that Lal’s return was linked to his previous experience with the Naga talks and the broader security and political challenges in the Northeast.
New Role as Interlocutor for Indo-Naga Talks
Former IPS Lal has now been appointed as the Government of India’s new interlocutor for the Indo-Naga political dialogue.
The appointment was reported on September 24–25, 2026, with the NSCN (IM) publicly welcoming the development. The organisation said Lal’s appointment represented an encouraging step and welcomed the reported proposal to bring a Union minister or group of Union ministers into the negotiation framework.
The development comes as the Centre and Naga political groups continue efforts to address the long-running political dialogue.
NSCN (IM) Welcomes Appointment
The NSCN (IM) has welcomed Lal’s appointment and the reported move towards greater Union-level political involvement.
In its statement, the organisation also acknowledged the role of the Nagaland government under Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in facilitating the dialogue. It said the state government’s engagement had helped sustain the process and keep Naga aspirations at the centre of the discussions.
The group also appealed for continued support for its negotiating team and reiterated its stated objective of an “honourable and enduring political solution.”
A Return to a Familiar Negotiating Track
Mr Lal’s appointment brings together two strands of his professional career: intelligence and Northeast affairs.
After decades in the IPS and Intelligence Bureau, followed by his tenure as JIC chairman, Lal had already been considered for the Naga interlocutor’s position in 2014. His return to the Ministry of Home Affairs as Northeast Adviser earlier this year has now been followed by his formal appointment as interlocutor.
His task will involve engaging with the Naga political stakeholders as the Centre seeks to move the dialogue forward, while the proposed involvement of Union-level ministers could add another layer to the negotiation framework.
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