With the Hyde Act that liberates India from long atomic isolation in his pocket, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s diplomatic focus is now likely to shift to Pakistan. As the historic nuclear breakthrough with the US boosts the Government’s confidence, Singh might now be ready to press ahead with a bolder initiative on addressing the dispute with Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir.

In his public address tomorrow in Amritsar, Singh is expected to respond to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s recent comments to NDTV channel on a framework for the settlement of Jammu and Kashmir. Singh might also have something to say on the progress in the internal political track in J&K. After his second round table some months ago with a variety of political formations in J&K, he has been examining a range of ideas to transform the political and economic conditions in Kashmir.

Singh’s response will be carefully read in Islamabad and other world capitals and could set the tone for External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Pakistan next month. Mukherjee’s talks with Musharraf in Islamabad could also see the finalisation of a set of dates, in the not too distant future, for the PM’s long overdue visit to Pakistan.

On his way back from Japan over the weekend, the PM, in a brief response welcomed Musharraf’s remarks, that many here see as representing a significant evolution of Pakistan’s position on J&K.

Musharraf had ruled out independence for J&K, and offered to relinquish Pakistani claims on J&K in the event of a final settlement between India and Pakistan. He had also hinted that Pakistan is not seeking a territorial adjustment in J&K and will instead accept a package that focuses on “self-governance” for the divided parts of J&K, that lies somewhere between “autonomy” and “independence”.

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