New Delhi (TDI): A senior leader of India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and a former Indian army chief have called for continued diplomatic engagement with Pakistan, arguing that open channels of communication should remain in place despite strained relations.
RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, the organization’s second-most senior figure, said in an interview that India should not close the door on dialogue with Pakistan. He said diplomatic ties, trade links, and visa arrangements should be maintained to ensure that communication channels remain open.
Hosabale said India should always remain willing to engage in talks, adding that past initiatives, including efforts by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, demonstrated the importance of dialogue even in difficult times.
He referred to past outreach such as the Lahore visit and other diplomatic initiatives, saying that continued attempts at engagement were necessary despite setbacks.
His remarks were echoed by former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who stressed the importance of people-to-people contacts between the two countries. He said ordinary citizens on both sides face similar challenges and that stronger social and human connections could help improve relations over time.
Read More: Pakistan Warns India of Stronger Response to Any Aggression
India and Pakistan have had largely frozen diplomatic relations in recent years, with limited formal engagement and recurring tensions along the border.
The two countries also experienced a brief military confrontation last year, which ended after an 87-hour conflict and a ceasefire agreement mediated through international channels.
Read More: Pakistan Raises Concern Over India–Canada Uranium Deal
Despite periodic flare-ups, calls for dialogue from political and military figures occasionally emerge in India, though such positions often draw criticism from opposition parties.
