Former Indian army chief backs RSS leader's call for engaging in dialogue with Pakistan: report

Former Indian army chief Gen (retired) Manoj Naravane has supported the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) secretary general’s remarks calling for keeping the window for dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi open, Indian media reported.

In an interview with Press Trust of India aired on Tuesday, RSS Secretary General Dattatreya Hosabale said there “should always be a window for dialogue” between Pakistan and India, terming people-to-people contacts as key to breaking the deadlock in ties.

Responding to a query about how India should deal with Pakistan, Hosabale said, “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.”

Over 40 Indian paramilitary troops were killed in the Pulwama attack in occupied Kashmir in 2019. India alleged that those who planned the attacks had links with the Pakistani state — a charge that Pakistan has vigorously denied.

The RSS secretary general went on to add, “But at the same time, we should not close the doors. We should always be ready to engage in dialogue. That is why diplomatic relations are maintained, trade and commerce continue, and visas are being given. So we should not stop these.”

Agreeing with the RSS leader’s stance, Naravane on Wednesday told PTI, “One important point is that people-to-people connections and contacts are extremely important. Ordinary people live on both sides of the border, and common people everywhere have the same concerns: food, clothing, shelter, and daily life.

“Ordinary citizens generally do not have much to do with politics. When friendship develops between the people of two countries, it naturally helps improve relations between the countries themselves,” he observed.

The ex-army chief stressed that people-to-people contact, “whether through Track-II diplomacy or through sporting events, is very important”.

Naravane highlighted that while India had always maintained that differences between the two countries should be resolved through discussion and dialogue, that did not “mean we cannot use military force if necessary”.

“India is a country that believes in speaking the language of peace, but if the need arises, we will not hesitate to use our strength and capabilities as well,” he asserted.

In his interview, Hosabale also termed the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the capture of Pakistani national Ajmal Kasab for his involvement in the incident as 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 said.

The RSS leader said, “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.

“So I am for once that the people of Pakistan, particularly the civic society, various institutions and these areas, if that goes on, I think it can pave the way for a better [relation].”

Asked whether sporting events between the two neighbours should resume, Hosabale said, “Of course, they can continue. At present, because of Pakistan’s adamancy, many things are not being carried out.”