Jaswant emerges as PM8217;s Man Friday

Today, Singh is not merely carrying out instructions in his delicate negotiations with US Deputy Secretary Strobe Talbott. He is actually framing India8217;s position for the talks.He has also taken over supervision of the ongoing negotiations with France and Russia on arms control, disarmament and other nuclear-related matters after Mishra failed to make a breakthrough in his visits to these countries. According to Foreign Office sources, the Indian officials involved in the discussions take their briefing from Singh directly.

And to underline his unstated role as the Government8217;schief foreign policy advisor, Singh will join Vajpayee at the SAARC Summit at the end of the month. He is expected to be present during the crucial meeting with Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif. Singh8217;s growing clout in the rarefied world of the Ministry of External Affairs first became evident when India decided to reopen talks with the US last month. It was a battle he fought hard to win, hampered as he was by the plethora of harsh anti-India, anti-BJP statements emanating from Washington.

Ultimately, his pragmatism prevailed over Mishra8217;s hawkishness and Vajpayee gave him the green signal to seek a meeting with Talbott when he led the Indian delegation to New York for a UN meet on drugs.

MEA officials attribute the dominance of the Jaswant Singh line on foreign policy to the fact that it has succeeded in opening doors which seemed to have been slammed shut after the May nuclear tests. Tomorrow, Talbott arrives in New Delhi for a third round of discussions, indicating a willingness on the part of the US tolisten, at the very least.

In a way, Singh is today a de facto Minister for External Affairs. In fact, aware of his key role in shaping foreign policy, MEA corridors are buzzing with speculation that he will be given the portfolio when Vajpayee expands his Cabinet. However, BJP sources rule out any immediate expansion, even after the budget session of Parliament ends on July 29. Given the fragile nature of its coalition, the party is reluctant to open up a Pandora8217;s Box of troubles for itself. Singh is thus likely to continue in his de facto role for the time being.

Insiders also point out that Singh8217;s value to the Prime Minister extends far beyond foreign affairs which is why his amorphous position as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission suits the present dispensation. He is virtually Vajpayee8217;s alter ego, his chief advisor on almost everything.

Singh was part of the Task Force on the National Security Council. He heads the Task Force on Information Technology. He is part of the NortheastCouncil. He has been assigned to study developmental projects for Sikkim. Name it and Singh is bound to be there.

Interestingly, Singh was recently asked to submit a report on the restructuring of the Planning Commission. Perhaps in keeping with his growing importance in the Vajpayee Government, he has suggested expanding the role of the Commission to oversee several key economic ministries as well as the Government8217;s non-Plan expenditure which accounts for nearly three-fourths of the budget.