General (retired) MM Naravane; RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale NEW DELHI: Former Army chief General (retired) Manoj Mukund Naravane on Wednesday backed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale’s stand on greater people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan, saying stronger ties between citizens on both sides could help improve bilateral relations.Also Read | ‘India should not close doors for dialogue with Pakistan’: RSS general secretary Dattatreya HosabaleHe stated that ordinary people on either side of the border “have nothing to do with politics”.“Common people live on both sides of the border, with common problems of ‘roti, kapda and makan’ (food, clothing and shelter). The common man has nothing to do with politics. When there is friendship between the two peoples, there will also be friendship between the two nations,” Naravane told PTI.“It is the right thing. People-to-people contact is important,” the former army chief added.Naravane’s remarks came a day after Hosabale, the RSS second-in-command after Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, said India should keep channels of dialogue with Pakistan open.“If Pakistan is like a pinprick trying to create incidents like Pulwama, etc., we have to respond appropriately according to the situation… at the same time, we should not close the doors. We should always be ready to engage in dialogue,” Hosabale told PTI.“People-to-people relations can ease India-Pakistan tensions because we have cultural links and we were once one nation. I strongly believe civil society contacts will ultimately help normalise ties with Pakistan; that should be tried more now,” he added.Hosabale also urged Pakistani sportspersons, scientists and members of civil society to “step forward” for peace, saying the neighbouring country’s military “cannot be trusted”.The RSS is the ideological mentor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Naravane, who served as Army chief from December 2019 to April 2022, had made headlines in February after excerpts from a chapter on the India-China Ladakh crisis, mentioned in his unpublished memoir, were cited by leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over LeakPosters Against Rahul Gandhi Surface As KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner For Kerala CMSuvendu Adhikari Chooses Bhabanipur Over Nandigram, Sparks Fresh Political Battle In BengalCM Vijay Revokes Astrologer Vettrivel’s OSD Appointment Amid Political Storm In Tamil NaduNEET-UG 2026 Leak Case Reaches Supreme Court, Petition Demands NTA Dissolution And Fresh ExamVijay Wins Tamil Nadu Trust Vote With 144 MLAs Amid AIADMK Split And Assembly ChaosKejriwal Targets BJP Over NEET Leak, Says ‘Gen-Z Can Demand Accountability Like Nepal & Bangladesh’FIR Against SP Spokesperson Rajkumar Bhati Over Viral Anti-Brahmin Remark, BJP Targets AkhileshAkhilesh Yadav Reacts To Prateek Yadav’s Death, Says “Business Losses Can Deeply Distress People”123PhotostoriesLate nights, high stress, rising BP: Why poor sleep is becoming India’s new urban health emergencyLove quote of the day by JK Rowling: “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at…”How to identify the Chandranaag: Key features explainedThink regular periods mean fertility is fine? Doctors warn PMOS can affect pregnancy chances5 viral makeup hacks that can instantly make you look 10 years younger’Karuppu’ releasing on May 14: Five reasons to watch Suriya’s rural mass film in theatersHow to make Rajma and Broccoli Tikki for summer evening snacking5 tiny and adorable dog breeds that shed lessHow to grow Dragon fruit in your garden: Simple step-by-step guide for beginnersFrom Mouni Roy to Dilip Joshi, Kapil Sharma and more: Highest-paid TV stars and their net worth123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav
NEW DELHI: Former Army chief General (retired) Manoj Mukund Naravane on Wednesday backed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale’s stand on greater people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan, saying stronger ties between citizens on both sides could help improve bilateral relations.Also Read | ‘India should not close doors for dialogue with Pakistan’: RSS general secretary Dattatreya HosabaleHe stated that ordinary people on either side of the border “have nothing to do with politics”.“Common people live on both sides of the border, with common problems of ‘roti, kapda and makan’ (food, clothing and shelter). The common man has nothing to do with politics. When there is friendship between the two peoples, there will also be friendship between the two nations,” Naravane told PTI.“It is the right thing. People-to-people contact is important,” the former army chief added.Naravane’s remarks came a day after Hosabale, the RSS second-in-command after Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, said India should keep channels of dialogue with Pakistan open.“If Pakistan is like a pinprick trying to create incidents like Pulwama, etc., we have to respond appropriately according to the situation… at the same time, we should not close the doors. We should always be ready to engage in dialogue,” Hosabale told PTI.“People-to-people relations can ease India-Pakistan tensions because we have cultural links and we were once one nation. I strongly believe civil society contacts will ultimately help normalise ties with Pakistan; that should be tried more now,” he added.Hosabale also urged Pakistani sportspersons, scientists and members of civil society to “step forward” for peace, saying the neighbouring country’s military “cannot be trusted”.The RSS is the ideological mentor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Naravane, who served as Army chief from December 2019 to April 2022, had made headlines in February after excerpts from a chapter on the India-China Ladakh crisis, mentioned in his unpublished memoir, were cited by leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi.