Our ties with Pakistan can't stand still: PM

Noting that there had been a 'trust deficit' between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said the two countries have to find ways and means to tackle their problems, including terrorism.

Dr 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," the prime minister told a press conference in Nainital, Uttaranchal, 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, Dr Singh said 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," he said.

Vajpayee has attacked the setting up of a joint mechanism on terrorism with Pakistan, alleging it was a 'conspiracy' against the country.

Referring to his meeting with Musharraf in Havana last week on the sidelines of the Non Aligned Movement Summit, Dr Singh said he had a 'very good meeting' with the Pakistani leader during which the two sides decided to go ahead with resumption of their composite dialogue, under which all issues including Jammu and Kashmir will be discussed.

Asked about Musharraf's recent remarks that a solution to the Kashmir issue was within reach, the prime minister refused to react, saying he was not aware of what the Pakistan President had said.

To a question on when an external affairs minister will be appointed, Dr Singh said, "You will get to know in due course of time."

Meanwhile, Congress president Sonia Gandhi rubbished speculations about the appointment of a deputy prime minister saying:

"Absolutely there is not going to be a deputy prime minister, I am saying so categorically."

On the Congress's strategy for crucial assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Sonia said the party was gearing itself for the polls.

Asked to comment on the government's decision to call off the ceasefire with the United Liberation Front of 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 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, which we worked out with the coalition partners."

Asked to comment on criticism about the Congress not following the coalition dharma, the Congress chief sought to dismiss such a notion by saying that the Left parties had said they will not join the government but be part of a coordination committee.

She said a reshuffle in the All India Congress Committee will be carried out as soon as possible. Asked whether her recent talks with Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee was an indicator of her coming back to the Congress, she said, "My talks with Mamata 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.