Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said “trust deficit” between India and Pakistan was the “biggest problem” coming in the way of any improvement in bilateral relations.
Singh also said India is willing to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan but it should ensure that its soil is not used for terrorism against this country.
On the forthcoming dialogue between Foreign Ministers of the two countries, Singh said India is going to make a beginning in improving the bilateral relations, which have seen a chill after the Mumbai attacks in November 2008.
“It has been my effort to try to reduce the gap between our two countries without surrendering or affecting our vital national interest,” Singh told reporters.
The Prime Minister said it was his conviction that the two countries could not make any headway in the composite dialogue as there has been a lack of adequate trust between the countries.
“There has been a lack of adequate trust and trust deficit is the biggest problem (between the two countries),” he said.
“We are willing to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan. But it should ensure that its soil is not used for terrorism against India,” he said.
Singh also expressed hope that the new dialogue process can move forward.
“Pakistan is our neighbour. It is my belief that India cannot realise its full development potential unless we have the best possible relations with our neighbours and Pakistan is our largest neighbour,” Singh said.
Following are the highlights of PM’s interaction with media.
* UPA govt committed to deliver on promises
* 10 per cent growth achievable target for India
* Our real challenge is at home and neighbourhood.
* Past couple of years has been difficult for the economy
* I am the first one to admit that we could have done better.
* On being asked about the Naxalism threat to the internal security of the country, he said, “We have not underestimated it. We are working towards solving the Naxal problem. Our government’s policies have been scrutinised on that issue.”
* “We are working towards solving the Naxal problem. Our government’s policies have been scrutinised on that issue.”
* Singh said the government will take into account the opinion of various sections over the issue of caste-based census.
* He told the media that Pak and India’s composite dialogue came to a halt after the Mumbai blasts.
* Our govt has zero tolerance for violation of human rights. “I am accountable to Parliament, to the people so I express with deep sorrow over the Dantewada incident, the Mangalore crash. We need to find out procedures to tackle such issues.”
* Rahul is very qualified and is competent enough to hold a Cabinet post. I have discussed with him on a number of occasions but he is reluctant. He says he has to do a lot to revive Congress. I feel younger people should take over. I’ll be happy to make Rahul the PM.
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