Nainital: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said the India and Pakistan have to find ways and means to tackle their problems including terrorism.
Singh said the two countries had to find ways to reconcile their positions with regard to Jammu and Kashmir, considering that New Delhi has maintained that there can be no redrawing of borders and Islamabad has said it will not accept the Line of Control as the permanent border.
"There has been trust deficit in our relations with Pakistan. But we cannot stand still," Singh told a press conference at the conclusion of a conclave of chief ministers of Congress-ruled states.
In an apparent rejoinder to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's attack on the decision to set up joint mechanism with Pakistan to tackle terrorism, Singh pointed out that his predecessor had invited President Pervez Musharraf to Delhi in 2001 after the Kargil conflict, shook hands with the Pakistani leader after the terror attack on Parliament in 2001 and then travelled to Islamabad in 2004.
"I sincerely believe that our two countries have to find ways and means to get over the problems, that include terrorism," Singh said.
Asked to respond to speculation about the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister, Sonia ruled it out, saying, "Absolutely, there is not going to be a Deputy Prime Minister, I am saying so categorically."
Asked how she rated the performance of the UPA government and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the two-and-a-half years of the coalition, Sonia said, "I am satisfied with the performance of the government. I am absolutely satisfied with Dr Manmohan Singh."
On being asked if there was a need for a course correction, she said, "I don't think there is a need for course correction. We are working according to the promises we have made in the Congress party manifesto and the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) which we worked out with the coalition partners."
To a question on when an External Affairs Minister will be appointed, the Prime Minister said, "You will get to know in due course of time."
Asked whether she would again become chairperson of the National Advisory Council, a post she quit in the wake of the controversy over the office of profit issue, Sonia said, "I have not taken any decision whether to go back or not. When I take a decision, you will know."
On the Congress's strategy for crucial assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Sonia said that the party was gearing itself for the polls.
Asked to comment on the government's decision to call off the ceasefire with ULFA in Assam, the Prime Minister said that certain conditions must be satisfied before talks are held with the rebel group.
"We have expressed willingness to discuss all issues," he said, adding pre-conditions have to be met for the negotiations to be fruitful.
Asked to comment on criticism about the Congress not following the coalition dharma, Sonia sought to dismiss such a notion by saying that the Left parties had said they would not join the government but be part of a coordination
committee. She said a reshuffle in the AICC would be carried out as soon as possible.
Asked whether her recent talks with Trinamool Congress leader Mamta Banerjee was an indicator of her coming back to the Congress, Sonia said, "My talks with Mamta are not related to her coming back or not."
To a question on the Sachar Committee's report on minority communities, the Prime Minister said he was looking forward to the findings which will be a "comprehensive analysis regarding education, employment and other facilities" available to the minorities.
Comments
0 comment