Overview
- RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, in a PTI interview on Tuesday, urged India to keep a window for dialogue with Pakistan and to continue diplomatic ties, trade and visas while responding firmly to terrorism.
- Former Army chief Gen MM Naravane backed the stance on Wednesday, saying people-to-people contact and even sporting exchanges can ease hostility, though India should still use force if required.
- Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Manish Tewari criticized the remarks, linking them to Hosabale’s recent US trip and asking what had changed since the April 2025 Pahalgam attack to warrant outreach.
- Regional figures Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday and Farooq Abdullah on Thursday welcomed the call for engagement, arguing dialogue is needed to improve conditions in Jammu and Kashmir.
- No change in government policy has been announced, and New Delhi continues to say meaningful talks depend on credible steps against cross‑border terror following last year’s Operation Sindoor pause.