Energy exploration along state borders often requires structured revenue sharing to maintain regional cooperation and domestic output. On June 11, 2026, a Tripartite MoU covering over 1,000 square kilometers was signed between the Central Government and two North-Eastern state governments for joint oil and gas exploration with a 50:50 revenue-sharing model aiming for 10,000–15,000 barrels/day. Which two states were involved?

The correct answer is Assam and Nagaland . Key Points On June 11, 2026 , a historic Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) , the Government of Assam , and the Government of Nagaland to facilitate hydrocarbon exploration. The agreement focuses on the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) located along the Assam-Nagaland border , covering an exploration area exceeding 1,000 square kilometers which had been largely inaccessible due to long-standing territorial disputes. The revenue-sharing model established under this agreement is set at 50:50 , ensuring that both state governments receive an equal portion of royalties and taxes generated from the extracted crude oil and natural gas . The primary objective of this joint venture is to bolster domestic production , with initial estimates projecting an output of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 barrels per day , thereby reducing India's reliance on energy imports. This MoU represents a significant shift in cooperative federalism , utilizing economic development as a tool to mitigate regional border tensions and improve the socio-economic conditions of the local populations in the North-Eastern Region (NER) . Additional Information Assam-Nagaland Border History: The border dispute dates back to 1963 when Nagaland was carved out of Assam ; the current agreement circumvents legal deadlocks in the Supreme Court regarding the Disputed Area Belt . The DAB is divided into six sectors (A, B, C, D, E, and F) spanning the Sivasagar , Charaideo , and Jorhat districts on the Assam side. Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North-East: This initiative aligns with the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 , which aims to double the production of Oil and Gas in the North-East by leveraging untapped reserves in complex geological terrains. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) are expected to be the primary operators for exploration activities in these shared blocks.