New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has made a major statement on India-Pakistan relations. Speaking at the 15th anniversary celebration of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations in Mumbai, he said that India’s path is not one of conflict or destruction, but of dialogue and harmony.
“Pakistanis are not enemies at heart”
Answering questions from Gen Z, Bhagwat spoke about the ongoing tensions with Pakistan and China. He clearly stated that the common people of Pakistan are not entirely enemies of Indians.
“It’s not that Pakistanis are enemies of Indians at heart, or that Indians are like that. But states, politics and international borders are also realities of life,” he said. The RSS chief stressed that permanent hostility and hatred cannot solve any problem.
“It’s a time of war with the government, but the relationship isn’t over forever.”
Bhagwat said that when a country is in conflict or war, every citizen should stand with the government and the military. In such times, it may be necessary to suspend certain relationships for security reasons.
But he also said, “Relationships forged through conflict should not be lost forever. Once the conflict is over, we must pick up where we left off.”
He argued that the Chinese people believe that India has given them values for 2,000 years. Pakistan, on the other hand, was part of India until 100 years ago. This historical fact cannot be ignored.
“Ultimately, humanity is one.”
The RSS chief said the tension between India and Pakistan is primarily due to political reasons. He said, “We know that one day this conflict will end and we will have to unite, because ultimately humanity is one.”
Speaking of the “Indian solution,” Bhagwat said that India’s way is not to conquer or destroy others. Our focus has always been on dialogue and unity.
The statement came in the backdrop of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.
The RSS chief’s statement comes at a time when military tensions between India and Pakistan are at their peak following Operation Sindoor in May 2025. On April 22, 2025, 26 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
In response, India launched military action, which ended in a ceasefire three days later. Political analysts believe Bhagwat’s statement can be seen as a commitment to people-to-people connectivity and keeping the channels of diplomatic dialogue open.