I have it on the authority of two unimpeachable sources that this latest tamasha has been initiated by MMS himself and facilitated by the author of SeS , the new NSA S.S.Menon. This has been MMS' plan since last summer, but the SeS debacle and Headley revelations allowed opponents like M.K.N and P. Chidambaram to block those plans. Now that M.K.N is out of the way, I'm told that the PM has a green light to "make his mark in history", to quote some insiders.
I'm told that both gentlemen have overruled vehement objections from career diplomats, the Home Ministry, COAS, and even a majority within the cabinet for this effort. US pressure was likely a marginal factor, I'm told, because MMS has been dead set to make another push for this, come what may. My sources tell me that the only concession won by the protesting majority is that the language of any comminiques and statements would be vetted by multiple people.
While jingos might be worried about any Kashmir related move, the Home Minister is extremely concerned that the ISI-pigLeT network could use any new programs, such as bus travel, visa relaxation etc. to create new networks in India and overturn the painstaking successes achieved over the last few months.
