Islamabad, Pakistan – As Indian television channels and government leaders celebrated the anniversary of the war against Pakistan in May 2025, one of the most influential ideologues of the political movement led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a discordant note.

In an interview with an Indian news agency, Dattatreya Hosabale, general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) – the parent organization of the Hindu nationalist Hindutva ideology that guides Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party – said New Delhi should explore dialogue with Pakistan. “We should not close the doors. We should always be ready to engage in dialogue,” he said.

His comments sparked a political storm in India, with the opposition questioning the RSS position and highlighting its stark contrast to Modi's. The Modi government has repeatedly stated that “terror and talks cannot go together,” opposing any dialogue with Pakistan.

Pakistan welcomed Hosabale's remarks, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi saying Islamabad would wait for an “official reaction” from India. More than a week later, the Modi government has yet to formally respond.

Analysts say that while there is a growing rationale for the neighbors to re-engage diplomatically, resurrecting a full-fledged dialogue will not be easy. Recent hawkish statements by Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Pakistan's military response underscore the persistent tensions.

Source: www.aljazeera.com