Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said Thursday that civilisational ties with Pakistan and China should not be permanently severed [1].
The statement comes as India navigates complex security challenges with its neighbors. Bhagwat's perspective suggests a strategic distinction between immediate political conflict and long-term cultural and historical connections, signaling a desire for future stability despite current tensions.
Speaking in Mumbai on Aug. 6, Bhagwat said that while relations may be strained, they are not beyond repair [2]. He said that ties can be put "on hold" during periods of conflict, but the fundamental links between the civilizations should remain [1].
Despite this call for long-term preservation of ties, Bhagwat emphasized the necessity of national unity during active disputes. He said that in times of conflict, citizens must support the actions of the Indian government [2].
"In the times of conflict, we have to go with whatever our Govt does," Bhagwat said [2].
He said that the public must stand firmly with the Government of India and the armed forces while maintaining the belief that permanent enmity is not the solution [2]. This approach seeks to balance immediate national security needs with a broader civilisational outlook.
Bhagwat said that dialogue and harmony are the Indian way, arguing that relationships with neighboring civilizations should be preserved rather than ended [1]. By framing these connections as civilisational, he distinguishes the enduring nature of regional history from the volatile nature of diplomatic and military skirmishes.
“"Ties can't be severed, they can be on hold during conflict."”
This position reflects a nuanced approach to regional diplomacy where the RSS distinguishes between state-level hostility and civilisational kinship. By advocating for the preservation of ties while demanding absolute support for the government during crises, Bhagwat is attempting to maintain a nationalist posture without closing the door to future diplomatic normalization with China and Pakistan.
