Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday said the New Delhi visit of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah is "another positive step" in the on-going Naga peace talks.

Rio will be the first chief minister from the state to meet the two top NSCN (I-M) leaders when he holds talks with them in Delhi later today.

• Naga leaders in Delhi for talks

Before leaving for the national capital, Rio welcomed the NSCN(I-M)'s statement that Swu and Muivah wanted to meet a cross-section of the people in Nagaland during their visit to the state next week. "The situation is very conducive to meet the people in the state, and I am meeting them in my capacity as a political leader,'' Rio said.

He said during his meeting with the NSCN(I-M) leaders he will discuss political issues pertaining to the Naga peace process. He will also brief them about the role played by the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government as a 'facilitator' to the peace initiative, Rio said.

The DAN government, after coming to power, constituted a consultative committee on peace under Rio's chairmanship to support the initiatives of non-government organisations and civil society groups to ensure peace and reconciliation among the warring Naga underground factions.

In the next few days, the NSCN (I-M) leaders will meet United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and leaders of various political parties  in Delhi.

But the crucial phase of their official visit to India will begin when they hold consultative meetings in Nagaland next week.