Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has stirred political interest by suggesting that India should keep a dialogue open with Pakistan, despite the country's history of retaliatory rhetoric following terror attacks. In an interview, he emphasized that while national security and self-respect are paramount, India should not close off communication channels. This perspective aligns with the RSS's view of India as a civilizational power that values dialogue as a strength rather than a weakness. Senior RSS functionaries clarified that Hosabale's remarks are rooted in India's civilizational ethos, advocating for a balance between military responses to terrorism and diplomatic engagement. They argue that nations can maintain ties across conflict lines, citing India's relations with both Israel and Palestine, and Iran and the UAE. This nuanced stance is seen as a return to the strategic realism of past leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who also supported engagement with Pakistan while firmly responding to aggression. The overarching message is that India can be both tough and open to dialogue, reflecting a sophisticated approach to foreign relations.