By KUNA,
New Delhi : Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said on Monday that the “trust deficit” between India and Pakistan was the “biggest problem” standing in the way of improving bilateral relations.
The premier was addressing a press conference in New Delhi on completion of one year of his government.
Singh also said India is willing to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan, provided that it ensures that its soil is not used for terrorism against India.
About the forthcoming dialogue between the foreign ministers of the two countries in July, Singh said India is going to make a beginning in improving the bilateral relations, which have been sour after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
“It has been my effort to try to reduce the gap between our two countries without surrendering or affecting our vital national interest,” Singh added, while speaking about ties with Pakistan.
He also said, “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.” During his more-than-one-hour press conference, the Indian premier expressed hope that the rate of food inflation would come down to 5-6 percent by the year-end.
He also talked about various other concurrent issues facing the country like Naxals (group of armed rebels in some states) and coordination between his office and other ministries.