NEW DELHI (Agencies) Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has acknowledged that some observers have a view that there is a trust deficit between India and Pakistan, and added that the last sixty years have had more than their share of bitterness, recrimination, mistrust, misunderstanding and miscommunication, where these two countries are concerned. Ahead of Indias engagement in the process of bridging trust deficit with Pakistan, she asked it to shed its insecurity on asymmetries in sizes and capabilities between them, including the strategic leverage gained after Indo-US nuclear deal, as they were not targeted against it, adding that New Delhi sincerely desires peace with Islamabad. India-Pakistan relations are, by virtue of a complexity that has grown, rather than diminished over the years, literally, a class apart. Theories about why such distances separate us, abound. Geographical contiguity and shared history, ethnic and linguistic affinities, and similar developmental challenges have not induced an inevitable congruity between our interests. That is the tragedy of our relationship, said Nirupama Rao on Monday in her address at Afghanistan-India-Pakistan Trialogue organised by Delhi Policy Group. Some also refer to a vision deficit, especially since India has over the years sought to spell out a broader vision of our relationship while a similar definition has not been easy for Pakistan to enunciate. Therefore, there is need for articulating a common definition of what kind of relationship we want for the future. The welfare of our millions should be the common denominator of our efforts, she added. Nirupama Rao further said Indias defence posture and capabilities are not of an offensive nature, and not targeted against any country, including Pakistan. Emphasising that as the two countries commence the exercise of overcoming the difficulties in the relationship, it was important to reiterate a few points, Nirupama Rao said India seeks a stable, peaceful and economically progressing Pakistan. We want to see a peaceful, stable, energy-secure and prosperous Pakistan that acts as a bulwark against terrorism for its own sake and for the good of the region. Asymmetries in size and development, should not prevent us from working together, building complementarities, and realising a vision of friendly, bilateral relations, said Rao. There can be no better strategic restraint regime than greater economic and commercial integration; more and more people to people contacts and cultural exchanges, which lead to mutual understanding of each others views. Here rests the key to bridging the trust and vision deficit, she added. Despite misguided and serious provocations, India has exhibited true restraint, Rao maintained. She asked Pakistan to prevent the entry of radical ideology into the domain of religion, and, the consequent implications for peace and security between India and Pakistan, making differences over Kashmir even more difficult. Terrorist forces are also increasingly battling for larger space in a deadly struggle that seeks to overwhelm moderate, democratic forces in Pakistani civil society, the Indian Foreign Secretary claimed. The writing on the wall must be seen, she said. As an intrinsic part of the long-term vision of relations it desires with India, Pakistan must act effectively against those terrorist groups that seek to nullify and, to destroy the prospects of peace and cooperation between our two countries, she said. The road ahead is a long and winding one. But as fellow travellers, India and Pakistan must tackle the challenges of this rocky road with the belief that a secure and prosperous future vitally and crucially depends on our ability to do so.