India seen as key to ending ongoing war, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat weighed in on the ongoing war in West Asia involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Addressing a gathering in Nagpur, Bhagwat stated voices from different countries are recognising India’s contribution in promoting peace.

“Several countries saying only India can bring an end to ongoing war,” he said.

Bhagwat made the remarks following the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Vidarbha Prant office of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Nagpur.

He said it is now widely acknowledged that India has the unique capability to help bring peace to the Middle East, given its civilisational ethos. The RSS chief added that India has a responsibility to restore balance to an unsettled world by upholding the principles of dharma.

His comments come amid the ongoing West Asia conflict that erupted into a full-fledged war following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28.

The RSS chief noted that selfish interests and the desire for dominance were the root cause of conflicts in the world, and said lasting peace can only be achieved through unity, discipline and adherence to dharma.

Bhagwat said dharma cannot remain confined to scriptures, but must be reflected in one's conduct.

Discipline and adherence to moral values require sustained practice and often involve personal hardship, he said.

While India believes in humanity, others believe in the struggle for existence and survival of the fittest, he said, reiterating that the world needs harmony, not conflict.

"People of India follow the law of humanity, but the rest of the world follows the law of the jungle. It is our job to restore balance in the stumbling world by giving it the foundation of dharma," he said.

Bhagwat said that India's ancient wisdom teaches that "all are connected and one", and called for a shift from conflict to harmony and cooperation.