"Stress deficiency" with Pakistan has to be addressed: PM

New Delhi, May 24 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday said no progress could happen in negotiations between India and Pakistan unless the trust deficiency is addressed.

Addressing a press conference on completion of the first year of UPA II, Dr Singh said the trust deficiency between India and Pakistan was a big problem.

"It is my conviction that ... why we haven't been able to make headway in composite dialogue is that there has been lack of adequate trust," Dr Singh said.

Dr Singh said that trust deficit was identified as the core issue when he met his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani in Thimphu, Bhutan, in April.

"We agreed that the trust deficit is a major problem blocking progress in the direction of going forward and that it should be our common endeavor to reduce the trust deficit. That's when we agreed that the foreign ministers should meet," he said.

Dr Singh said India couldn't achieve its full potential unless and until it addresses all issues with Pakistan.

"It is my firm belief that India cannot realize its full potential unless, we have the best possible relations with our neighbors and specially with Pakistan as it happens to be our largest neighbor," he said.

Dr Singh said both countries needed to address gaps without compromising on national interests.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is scheduled to meet with his Pakistani counterpart in Islamabad July 15.

India had stopped the composite dialogue process with Pakistan after the terror attack in Mumbai in November 2008.

Dr. Singh said this time the process would move forward.

"I am hopeful that this process can move forward. At least, that is the message that I got from talking to the Pakistan prime minister," he said. (ANI)