The PM said on Monday: "Let the talks continue; let the dialogue proceed; let distances be removed; let confidence be built; let us together create peace and accelerate development.
"A lot of people suffered. The wheels of development stopped. Mistakes committed.
"Now, the time has come to leave the sad chapter of conflict and violence behind us."
He said rather than remaining tied to the past, "we have to take care of the present and look to the future".
The PM at a civic reception at Kohima on Tuesday. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is also seen.