India should cancel talks with Pakistan if 'strategically suitable': RSS

New Delhi: New Delhi should cancel talks with Islamabad if "strategically" that is suitable as there should be no compromise on India's security, a senior RSS leader said on Monday as he expressed concern over the Pathankot terror strike. "The mighty should not shy away from discussions. If it suits strategically, then the talks should be cancelled. If it suits strategically, the talks should be held.

"India's security and pride should not be compromised with," said senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar. Hitting out at the neighbouring country, Kumar said that the attack at Pathankot had "in a way" sent out the message to the world that Pakistan "does not want" peace, harmony and development. Speaking at a book launch, Kumar further added that India has given befitting replies to its rivals in the past and would do so in the future as well, "diplomatically, politically and practically".

The remarks by Kumar came in response to a query whether India should go ahead with the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan in Islamabad on January 15. Criticising the neighbouring country, he said, "I will also suggest that Pakistan give up its hate policy towards India. Today, Pakhtuns, Baloch, Sindhis want freedom from Pakistan. Pakistan will be disintegrated due to its radical ways. Hence, it should mend it ways to avoid that; that is what the people of India, everybody is conveying to Pakistan."

Referring to Narendra Modi's recent "surprise" visit to Pakistan, the RSS leader praised the Prime Minister, saying he had shown that India can "fearlessly" reach out to its rivals. "He (Modi) also conveyed, as we have seen in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, that the mighty try to bring the evil on track (sic) by advising them. They never hastily opt for war, but are able to protect themselves," said Kumar.

India is "mulling options" as regards the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan -- scheduled to be held in Islamabad on January 15 -- in light of the terror attack at Pathankot. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to Islamabad on January 14 to hold discussions with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in order to chalk out a road map for carrying forward the engagement under the newly- announced 'Bilateral Comprehensive Dialogue'.