The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said Wednesday that people-to-people engagement between Indians and Pakistanis should continue despite ongoing diplomatic tensions [1].
This stance is significant because the RSS is a primary ideological influence on the current Indian government, which maintains a strict security and diplomatic posture toward Pakistan. By advocating for social and cultural ties while distancing itself from official statecraft, the organization seeks to maintain a separate channel of communication.
Sunil Ambekar, the RSS publicity in-charge, said that the organization does not intend to overlap with the responsibilities of the state. He said that diplomatic and security matters remain the exclusive domain of the government [1]. This distinction aims to prevent the organization's views from being interpreted as a challenge to official foreign policy.
Regarding the position of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Ambekar said that Bhagwat did not refer to India-Pak political diplomacy [1]. Instead, the focus remains on the broader necessity of maintaining human connections across the border. Ambekar said that Bhagwat believes doors need to be kept open for dialogue with Pakistan [1].
The organization's approach emphasizes that while political relations may be strained, the social fabric between the two nations should not be completely severed. This strategy allows the RSS to advocate for peace and understanding at a grassroots level without contradicting the government's security mandates [1].
“Doors need to be kept open for dialogue with Pakistan.”
The RSS is attempting to carve out a niche for non-governmental diplomacy. By separating 'political diplomacy' from 'people-to-people engagement,' the organization can maintain a softer stance on regional connectivity without undermining the Indian government's hardline security approach toward Pakistan.
