Summary The RSS general secretary said India should remain open to dialogue with Pakistan despite ongoing tensions between the two countries
(Web Desk) - Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Dattatreya Hosabale and former Indian army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane have called for keeping communication channels open with Pakistan, a position that has triggered criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Congress.
Hosabale, the RSS general secretary and one of the organisation’s top leaders, said India should remain open to dialogue with Pakistan despite ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Speaking to news agency PTI, he said diplomatic ties, trade relations and visa services should continue as they provide an opportunity for engagement.
“India should always be prepared for dialogue with Pakistan. Diplomatic relations exist for that reason, trade and commerce continue, and visas are still being issued. These channels should remain open because there must always be room for dialogue,” he said.
The RSS, regarded as the ideological parent organisation of the ruling BJP, has long influenced India’s political discourse.
Recalling past peace efforts, Hosabale referred to former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Lahore bus visit as a significant attempt to improve bilateral relations.
“Several initiatives have been made in the past and such efforts should continue. Atal ji travelled to Lahore by bus for dialogue, and Prime Minister Modi also invited Pakistan during his oath-taking ceremony,” he added.
Former Indian army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane also supported continued engagement, emphasising the importance of people-to-people interaction between the neighbouring countries.
“Connections between ordinary people on both sides are important because they face similar day-to-day challenges. Stronger public interaction can help improve ties between the two nations,” Naravane said.
Relations between Pakistan and India have remained strained in recent years, with diplomatic engagement largely suspended and periodic border tensions continuing.
The two nuclear-armed neighbours also witnessed a brief 87-hour military confrontation last year, which ended on May 10 following a ceasefire brokered by the United States.
During the conflict, Pakistan claimed shot down several Indian aircraft, including Rafale jets, alongside drones and an aerial system.
