Bhagwat Explains Civil Society Ties with Pakistan & China

way2barak, Aug 7: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that while India must stand with its government and armed forces during times of conflict, such situations should not permanently sever ties with other nations.

Citing Pakistan and China as examples, Bhagwat said existing relationships could be put “on hold” during conflicts but should not be ended altogether. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, he said, “In the times of conflict, we have to go with whatever our government and military does. But that should not sever the ties which are already there.”

Referring to the two neighbours, he said, “China, people say that for 2,000 years, Bharat has given us some values, and Pakistan was Bharat not less than 100 years ago. This should not be forgotten.”

Bhagwat added that “these ties cannot be severed; they can be put on hold till conflict is there,” stressing that India’s approach should not be one of “conquering or obliterating others” but of dialogue and harmonious coexistence. “Bharat’s solution… requires dialogue,” he said. “Humanity is one,” he said.

The RSS chief also said the grievances raised by student protesters recently were genuine and cautioned against branding young demonstrators as “anti-national”, asserting that the country’s youth deserve dialogue because they represent the next generation.