Pakistan Backs RSS Leader’s Call for India-Pakistan Dialogue, Ex-Army Head Agrees

Pakistan’s foreign office praised remarks by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale who urged keeping dialogue open with Pakistan. Former Indian army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane echoed the call, stressing people-to-people ties. The statements came amid deeply strained India-Pakistan relations following a brief but fierce armed conflict in May 2025.

A Peace Signal From an Unlikely Corner

Two prominent Indian voices one from the country’s most powerful Hindu nationalist body and another from its military have spoken up for keeping dialogue with Pakistan alive. RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale and former Indian army chief General (Retd.) Manoj Mukund Naravane both said India must not shut its doors on engagement with its neighbour. Their words landed with a thud in opposition circles and a warm welcome in Islamabad.

What Hosabale Said About Pakistan

Hosabale, considered the second most influential figure in the RSS, made his remarks to news agency PTI. “India should always be ready to engage in dialogue with Pakistan,” he said. “That is why diplomatic relations are maintained, trade and commerce continue, and visas are being given. So we should not stop these, because there should always be a window for dialogue.”

The RSS chief also brought up the 2008 Mumbai attacks calling them a turning point in ties between the two nations. “Since then, the peace period is very, very less […] although other things are continuing, mutual confidence is not completely there,” he observed. He then turned to history pointing to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s iconic bus journey to Lahore as proof that engagement is always worth trying. “Everything has been tried, but more such efforts should continue,” Hosabale said. “Atal ji tried to engage them in dialogue. He went to Lahore by bus, and many things have happened. [Modi] also invited Pakistan at the time of taking oath.”

On the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism a long-standing sore point Hosabale did not mince words. “If Pakistan is like a pinprick trying to create incidents like Pulwama, etc, we have to answer appropriately according to the situation because the security and self-respect of a country and nation have to be protected.” He then added a nuanced view on civil society ties: “The [Pakistani] political leadership and military leadership has developed, I think, some distinct aversion to Indian politics […] I believe strongly that ultimately, civic society relations and because we have a cultural relation, we have been one nation, so that has to be emphasised by some people at least.”

When asked whether cricket and sporting ties between the two countries should resume, Hosabale said “Of course, they can continue. At present, because of Pakistan’s adamancy, many things are not being carried out.”

Former Army Chief Backs People-to-People Contact

Naravane, who served as India’s army chief, offered his support on Wednesday. “People-to-people connections and contacts are very important,” he said. “Common people live on both sides of the border and face similar problems in daily life.” He added that when genuine friendship grows between two countries’ citizens, it naturally spills over into better government-to-government ties as well.

Pakistan Welcomes the Remarks

Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson reacted swiftly terming Hosabale’s comments a positive and welcome development. Islamabad expressed hope that India’s “warmongering” posture would give way to more voices like these ones that favour peace over provocation.

Congress Hits Back Hard

The statements triggered sharp pushback from India’s main opposition party. Congress never one to pass up a political target reacted with pointed sarcasm, saying “RSS’s love for Pakistan has once again come to the fore.” The party accused Pakistan of continuously “spewing venom” against India and Indians while reiterating New Delhi’s terrorism charges against Islamabad, allegations Pakistan has consistently rejected.

The Backdrop: A Shattered Relationship

India and Pakistan’s ties have stayed largely frozen for years the diplomatic freeze hardened further after a brief but intense 87-hour armed conflict in May 2025. During that confrontation, Pakistan claimed to have shot down eight Indian fighter jets including four French-built Rafale aircraft, one Su-30, one MiG-29, one Mirage 2000, and a high-value unmanned aerial system along with dozens of drones. The two nuclear-armed countries reached a ceasefire on May 10, 2025, with the United States playing the role of mediator.

The relationship has been on a knife-edge since at least 2019 when India carried out airstrikes inside Pakistani territory following the Pulwama attack. Pakistan’s retaliatory action led to the capture of Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was returned to India days later as a “peace gesture.”