India, Pakistan See New Signals of Dialogue After 2025 War

India and Pakistan have seen fresh public signals that dialogue could resume, after a senior leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said New Delhi should consider talks with Islamabad. Dattatreya Hosabale, the RSS general secretary, made the remarks in early May 2026 during the anniversary of a May 2025 conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi welcomed the comments and said Islamabad was ready to engage.

The statements contrast with India’s long-held official position that “terror and talks can’t go together,” and come as New Delhi has not formally responded to Hosabale’s suggestion. Analysts said the comments could be testing political space for any shift in India’s approach, given the RSS’s influence over the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The RSS is not part of the government, but it is described as the ideological parent of the BJP. Hosabale’s intervention drew attention because it diverged from the Indian government’s public messaging on contacts with Pakistan.

Other prominent figures in India have backed the call for engagement. Former Indian army chief General Manoj Naravane publicly supported Hosabale’s position, adding to speculation that the idea of renewed talks is gaining traction outside the Indian government even as official policy remains unchanged.

Track 1.5 contacts reported in Muscat, Doha, Thailand and London

Officials and analysts said the public remarks followed a series of informal engagements over the past year. Roughly four meetings involving former officials, retired generals, intelligence figures and parliamentarians from both countries were held in Muscat, Doha, Thailand and London.

Participants described the contacts as Track 1.5 and Track 2 dialogues, formats that can include serving officials alongside retired officials and other influential figures. The stated aim is to reduce the risk of misunderstandings and create channels that could later support formal diplomatic contacts.

Formal engagement between New Delhi and Islamabad has been largely absent in recent years. Analysts warned that even if informal discussions continue, moving back to an official dialogue would be politically difficult for both sides.

What officials in both countries are watching for next

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said it would watch for an official reaction from India to the renewed calls for talks. Any next steps are expected to depend on whether New Delhi signals willingness to engage beyond unofficial channels.