Rapprochement is a process not an event, so it would be unwise to presume that as the home minister undertakes a short trip to Jammu and Kashmir any kind of breakthrough will be made in tackling a problem that has vexed the nation these past 70 years.

Yet there is scope for a reversal of the hardline stance that New Delhi has adopted in the last few years: with few gains it must be added.

Rajnath Singh will be expected to give a practical dimension to the “fresh” position that the Prime Minister announced from the Red Fort on Independence

Day, in which Narendra Modi advocated a reduction in hostility-levels, working towards a dialogue.

No doubt that will be a tall order given the baggage of history, and the stated position of the Bharatisya Janata Party on the special Constitutional status that J&K enjoys, yet ground conditions suggest that there has been a marginal reduction in violence, and failure to quickly extend the olive branch might amount to yet another “opportunity lost” ~ a charge that could be leveled against successive governments at the Centre.

It is to be appreciated that Rajnath Singh, and those voluble “sources” in the home ministry, have played the coming visit in low-key ~ that would make for flexibility, and not appear to be setting any pre-conditions for possible interaction with those tending to favour separatist thinking.

At the same time it must be hoped that a degree of groundwork was done before Rajnath Singh landed in Srinagar and that he has something to work on. To return empty-handed would be a setback.

If even a few windows are opened over the next few days the exercise might be deemed successful. There are sure to be hurdles thrown up.

Some separatist leaders are planning a protest at the NIA office in the Capital (a confirmation that the squeeze on terror-funding is proving more effective than the bullet-for-bullet tactic), whether that will result in one more shutdown in the Valley is a possibility.

The home minister will also have to assess the mood in the state government, particularly its BJP element, before deciding how “accommodating” he can be with traditional adversaries.

The Centre’s vague position on matters pending in the apex court that impact J&K’s status also requires clarification ~ as demanded by Opposition parties in the state.

The Congress is also planning some activity in the coming days, it remains to be seen if it will seek to undermine the Centre’s initiative ~ politicians are generally unable to see an issue in “national” light. Rajnath Singh’s track-record as home minister has been only moderately positive ~ now he has the opportunity to “make or break”.