Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, June 14

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday defended remarks by a senior organisation leader advocating dialogue with Pakistan, saying the comments referred to engagement with the people of the neighbouring country rather than its government.

Bhagwat was responding to questions about comments made by RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who had earlier suggested keeping channels of communication open.

The RSS chief said the organisation would continue to support the Indian government’s policy towards Pakistan.

At the same time, Bhagwat said there were individuals and groups within Pakistan who questioned the two-nation theory and believed the partition of the Indian subcontinent had been a mistake.

“There are a lot of people in Pakistan who believe the partition of Bharat was wrong,” Bhagwat said during an interaction held as part of celebrations marking the RSS centenary year.

Relations between India and Pakistan remain strained following decades of conflict, diplomatic tensions and security concerns, although calls for greater people-to-people engagement have periodically emerged from civil society groups on both sides.