Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Tuesday said that Pakistan’s actions can be seen as a “pinprick,” but stressed that India should not shut the door on dialogue with its neighbour.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Hosabale said India must respond firmly to terrorism while keeping diplomatic channels open for future engagement.
“Security and dignity must be protected,” says RSS leader
Hosabale said India’s priority should always be national security and self-respect.
“If Pakistan is like a pinprick trying to create incidents like Pulwama, etc., we have to respond appropriately according to the situation because the security and self-respect of a country and nation have to be protected,” he said.
He added that the government “must take note and act accordingly,” especially in cases of cross-border terrorism and attacks.
At the same time, he said engagement should not completely stop.
“But at the same time, we should not close the doors. We should always be ready to engage in dialogue,” Hosabale said.
“Civil society contact can help improve ties”
The RSS leader said diplomatic relations, trade links and visa processes already show that communication channels remain open, and these should continue.
He also highlighted the role of people-to-people contact in improving relations.
“People-to-people relations can ease India-Pakistan tensions because we have cultural links and we were once one nation,” he said.
Hosabale added that academicians, scientists, sportspersons and civil society groups should actively participate in building trust between the two countries.
He also said Pakistan’s military “cannot be trusted,” suggesting that civil society engagement is a more reliable path for peace.
Context of strained India-Pakistan relations
His remarks come amid continued tension between India and Pakistan following major terror incidents in recent years, including the Pulwama attack and other cross-border strikes.
Despite the strained ties, Hosabale said India has historically kept some level of engagement open through diplomacy, trade and limited exchanges.
He also pointed to earlier attempts at peace talks and bus diplomacy as examples of past efforts to maintain dialogue.
RSS stance on engagement and security balance
Hosabale stressed a dual approach: strong response to terrorism but continued openness to communication.
“Trade and commerce, issuance of visas should not stop, because there should be a window always for dialogue,” he said.
He reiterated that India should remain alert to security threats while avoiding complete isolation of diplomatic ties.
Focus on long-term peace through interaction
According to Hosabale, cultural and historical links between people of India and Pakistan can play an important role in reducing hostility.
He said that sustained civil society interaction is “the one hope” for long-term normalisation of relations.
“Ultimately civil society relations will work,” he said, adding that shared heritage could help bridge divisions over time.
