Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) national general secretary Dattatreya Hosbale has said India should not completely shut the door on dialogue with Pakistan and must keep channels of communication open. In an interview with PTI CEO Vijay Joshi, Hosbale said that India and Pakistan should continue trade, sports ties and visa exchanges, stressing that “a window for engagement must always remain open.” However, he added that any attack similar to Pulwama would require a strong response in the interest of national security and dignity. He noted that India and Pakistan share deep cultural links and historically have been “one nation.” He said people from Pakistan, including sportspersons, scientists and civil society members, should be encouraged to engage more, as political and military leadership there has contributed to distrust. On regional and global issues Commenting on broader global conflicts, Hosbale said many wars today are driven by greed, ego and competition over resources such as oil and water. He described the ongoing conflict in West Asia as a resource-related dispute rather than a “clash of civilisations.” He also said wars have existed throughout history and are likely to continue, but human life and global order will keep evolving. He added that India should promote peace and restraint in its conduct, especially during crises, and play a constructive global role in spreading understanding among nations. On Hindu Rashtra and minorities Responding to questions on concerns among Muslims, Hosbale said India is already a “Hindu Rashtra” in a cultural sense, not a religious one. He clarified that religion does not define nationality and said all citizens are equal beneficiaries of government schemes. He also said RSS engages regularly with minority community leaders and rejected the idea of Muslims being treated as second-class citizens. On ‘love jihad’ and political participation When asked about “love jihad,” Hosbale said it refers to alleged organised attempts to mislead Hindu girls and termed it unacceptable if done with intent or conspiracy. On political representation, he said all citizens have the constitutional right to form parties and participate in politics. On Bengal elections and diaspora Commenting on West Bengal elections, he said RSS volunteers worked at the grassroots level and attributed results to public sentiment. On Indians living abroad, Hosbale said they should respect the laws of their host countries while maintaining cultural ties with India, adding that Indian communities have generally contributed positively through hard work and discipline.
Emphasize accuracy and depth.