A senior RSS leader and former Indian army chief support maintaining open channels of dialogue with Pakistan, citing past diplomatic efforts and people-to-people connections.
A senior leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Dattatreya Hosabale, has expressed his support for continued diplomatic engagement with Pakistan, despite strained relations between the two countries. Hosabale, who is considered the organisation's second-most senior leader, believes that India should always be ready to engage in dialogue with Pakistan, citing the importance of maintaining diplomatic relations, trade, and commerce. He also emphasized the need for people-to-people connections, highlighting the example of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's outreach to Pakistan, including his historic Lahore bus visit.
Hosabale's sentiments were echoed by former Indian army chief, Manoj Mukund Naravane, who stressed the importance of people-to-people connections and contacts between India and Pakistan. Naravane believes that when friendship develops between people of two countries, it helps improve relations as well, and that common people on both sides of the border face similar problems in daily life. This approach is seen as a significant shift from the current frozen state of diplomatic engagement between the two countries, which has been marked by border skirmishes and a brief conflict last year.
The conflict between India and Pakistan has been a longstanding issue, with both countries experiencing periods of heightened tensions and violence. In recent years, diplomatic engagement has stalled, and the two nations have experienced several border skirmishes, including a brief 87-hour conflict in May 2025. During this conflict, Pakistan downed several Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale and Su-30 aircraft, and dozens of drones. The war ended with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, but the incident highlighted the need for continued dialogue and diplomatic efforts to prevent such conflicts in the future.
The support for dialogue with Pakistan from senior Indian leaders such as Hosabale and Naravane has drawn criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Congress. However, their stance is seen as a significant step towards improving relations between the two countries, which have been marked by hostility and mistrust for decades. By emphasizing the importance of people-to-people connections and diplomatic engagement, these leaders are highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to India-Pakistan relations, one that takes into account the complexities and challenges of the region. As the two countries continue to navigate their complex relationship, the support for dialogue and engagement from senior leaders such as Hosabale and Naravane is likely to play an important role in shaping the future of India-Pakistan relations.
