New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed his first press meet in four years today to mark the completion of one year of UPA-2 in office, and spoke on a host of issues including UPA-2's performance, Indo-Pak ties, rising inflation, Naxal menace and many more.
Speaking on the Indo-Pak ties, the PM said, "Trust deficit is the biggest problem between India and Pakistan. The gap between the two countries needs to be reduced without giving up interests. Gilani and I have agreed that trust deficit is a major problem between us." The PM also said that India cannot realise its development potential unless it has the best relations with Pakistan.
"We are willing to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan. But it should ensure that its soil is not used for terrorism against India. We are hopeful that the dialogue process can move forward," Manmohan Singh added.
Responding to a question about the criticism faced by his government for its anti-Naxal strategy, the PM said, "Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge facing our country. We have not underestimated the problem of Naxalism."
Speaking about the violence in Jammu & Kashmir, the PM said, "I would like to appeal to all groups in Jammu and Kashmir to shed violence and come to the dialogue table."
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister described the first year of UPA-2 as one of "reasonable achievement" but said his government could have done more.
"I believe that the record of our first year of UPA-II is a record of reasonable achievement. I am the first person to admit that we could have done more," Singh said. He also said one should not be satisfied with "what we have achieved. There is always room for improvement and for better outcome."
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also strongly dismissed suggestions of "mistrust" between him and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, saying he receives constant advice and guidance from her.
Singh said there is not an "iota of mistrust or distrust between me and the Congress President."
Speaking on the Parliament attack death row convict Afzal Guru, the PM said the "law of the land" should be allowed to take its course in dealing with the issue.
"There is law of the land. They should be allowed to have their course," Singh said replying to a question over when the death sentence awarded to Guru would be carried out. (With PTI inputs)