Indian Political Figures Call for Renewed Talks with Pakistan

Calls by hardline Indian political figures to resume backchannel talks with Pakistan, a year after their latest conflict, reflect the realisation that both countries cannot afford another war for the time being, analysts say. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) secretary general Dattatreya Hosabale’s push earlier this week for so-called Track 2 diplomatic engagement with Pakistan has raised hopes for a reduction in the tensions between the two countries.

In an Indian media interview on Wednesday, Hosabale said there “should always be a window for dialogue” between New Delhi and Islamabad. Though non-political, RSS has a lot of clout as the ideological inspiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Hopes were further raised after former Indian army chief of staff Manoj Naravane endorsed Hosabale’s call for “people-to-people” contact between civil society organisations of both countries. Since their brief air skirmish in May last year, India and Pakistan have reportedly held four rounds of backchannel talks between quasi-official representatives.

“It’s too soon to say whether the recent indications of openness to engagement will translate to meaningful steps, but it is notable that the two sides seem inclined to find quiet means of communicating,” said Elizabeth Threlkeld, director of the South Asia programme at Washington think tank Stimson Centre.