Former Indian Army Chief, RSS Back Dialogue With Pakistan — A New Shift in Delhi?

NEW DELHI — In a significant development, former Indian Army Chief General (retd) Manoj Naravane and senior leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have openly voiced support for resuming talks and restoring ties with Pakistan, signaling a potential shift in India’s political discourse.
Speaking in an interview, General Naravane said that ordinary citizens on both sides of the border face the same struggles — food, shelter, and livelihood — and have nothing to do with political rivalries. “When people on both sides develop friendship, peace between the two nations will follow,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale took a clear stance, stating that India should always remain open to dialogue with Pakistan and must not shut its doors. “The very purpose of maintaining diplomatic relations is to keep trade, commerce, and visa channels open — India should not close all these off,” he said.
BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla also confirmed that the RSS is now advocating dialogue, better relations, visas, trade, and the revival of cricket ties with Pakistan, adding that the Indian government’s response to the RSS’s position is keenly awaited.
The statements come at a time when India-Pakistan relations remain deeply strained. However, analysts view these remarks as an early attempt to thaw relations, particularly notable given that they come from quarters traditionally associated with a hardline stance toward Pakistan.