R.N. Ravi, Government of India Interlocutor, and T. Muivah, General Secretary, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), have assured the talks have been progressing in the right direction with determination. "We are closer than ever before to the final settlement and hope to conclude it sooner than later," they said in a Joint Communiqué issued after their talks in New Delhi on Friday. The communique noted that the prolonged illness and unfortunate passing away of Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman NSCN, adversely impacted the process. His departure was a big loss to the peace process.