Tensions over the K-issue between India and Pakistan were at their most manageable during Manmohan Singh's prime ministership, according to Omar Abdullah.

In a heartfelt tribute during the budget session of the J&K Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the significant contributions of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh towards resolving the Kashmir issue.

Abdullah asserted that Singh understood the initiative taken by his predecessor, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as a big responsibility to carry forward. He praised Singh for "practically initiating" measures for the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, such as the establishment of the Jagti township in Jammu, where many Pandits who were living in tents found relief.

The Chief Minister also commended Singh for his efforts in healing the wounds caused by unrest in the Kashmir Valley in 2010, by setting up working groups to address the issue. These working groups, according to Abdullah, are still relevant today.

One of Singh's most notable achievements, as per Abdullah, was the introduction of job reservation for the Kashmiri Pandit community. He stated that there was no such effort from anyone else regarding job reservation for Kashmiri Pandits. Abdullah further credited Singh for trying to address the Kashmir problem with Pakistan.

However, Abdullah did not expect a return to that situation in his lifetime. He asserted that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir was closer to a lasting solution during Singh's tenure as Prime Minister of India, due to the intensified negotiations over Kashmir with Pakistan.

In a political context, Abdullah's ideologies and priorities stand in stark contrast with those of the BJP, particularly concerning Jammu and Kashmir. Despite hints by BJP MLA R.S. Pathania of a "possible collaboration" between the National Conference and the BJP, Abdullah ruled out the possibility of an alliance and did not express a need or necessity for a partnership with the BJP.

It's worth noting that during the same session, no information was provided about Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipping an invite to visit Odisha. The focus of the discussion remained squarely on the legacy of Manmohan Singh and his contributions towards resolving the complex issue of Kashmir.