The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has traditionally focused much of its work in India. But as the organisation marks its centenary year, it is also stepping up its engagement with Hindu and Indian-origin communities abroad.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's appearance in Toronto on 31 August 2026 brought that international outreach into focus.
Speaking at the “Hindu Vishwa Bandhu – Embrace the World in Friendship” event, Bhagwat spoke about India's role in the world, the meaning of Hindu identity, diversity, service and the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or the world as one family.
The Toronto appearance was part of a wider 2026 outreach programme covering the US, Canada and the UK. The RSS has said the initiative is intended to present its perspective on India and Hindu society, promote Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and engage with wider society on issues concerning Hindus and people of Indian origin abroad.
Here are 10 key things Bhagwat said in Toronto.
1. India Is “Vishwaguru”, Not “Mahashakti”
One of Bhagwat's central arguments was that India's global role should not be measured only by conventional definitions of power.
He drew a distinction between India becoming a superpower, or Mahashakti, and becoming what he called a Vishwaguru, or world teacher.
“It served the world and by its own character, it became ‘Vishwaguru’, not Mahashakti,” he said.
Bhagwat argued that India's civilisational influence, in his view, came from service, knowledge and its relationship with other societies rather than territorial expansion.
2. India’s Tradition, He Said, Is To Help Others
Bhagwat repeatedly returned to the idea of service.
He said India had historically offered help during difficult circumstances, including to people who were not Indian.
“This is the tradition. This is the DNA of Bharat,” he said.
He argued that India had often extended a helping hand even when assistance was not explicitly requested.
For Bhagwat, this tradition of service is central to the role he believes India should play in the modern world.
3. He Recalled Shelter Given To Polish Refugees
Bhagwat used a historical example to illustrate his argument.
He recalled the Maharaja of Jamnagar providing shelter and protection to Polish refugees during the Second World War.
According to Bhagwat, the refugees were protected until they could safely return home.
“There are so many instances; it is still continuing,” he said.
He presented the episode as an example of what he described as India's tradition of providing refuge to people fleeing persecution and war.
4. He Pointed To India’s Evacuation Efforts In The Middle East
Bhagwat then moved from a historical example to a contemporary one.
He referred to an evacuation during a conflict in the Middle East and said Indian military aircraft had rescued Indians as well as nationals of seven other countries.
“Citizens of seven countries were rescued from there by Bharatiya,” he said.
Bhagwat used the example to support his broader argument that India's humanitarian approach extends beyond its own citizens.
5. He Said India Provided Refuge To Different Communities
Bhagwat also referred to Muslims, Christians, Jews and Parsis while discussing India's history of providing refuge.
“Anywhere in the world, if someone was persecuted, he got asylum in Bharat only,” he said.
This was Bhagwat's characterisation of India's historical tradition and should be understood as such rather than as a literal claim that every persecuted person in world history received asylum in India.
His broader argument was that India had historically provided refuge to communities facing persecution.
6. He Said Indian Civilisation Spread Knowledge, Not Conquest
Bhagwat also spoke about India's historical interactions with other regions.
He said Indian travellers had reached places including Mexico, Siberia and Southeast Asia, but “they conquered no country”.
Instead, he said, “they gave knowledge, astronomy, ayurveda, imparted civilisational values.”
Bhagwat used this description to contrast what he sees as India's civilisational outreach with territorial conquest.
These are his characterisations of India's history rather than an independent assessment of every historical interaction he referenced.
7. He Said “Hindu” Cannot Be Defined By One Form Of Worship
Bhagwat also explained how he understands the word “Hindu”.
“The word Hindu cannot be defined by any specific language, through any specific worship, or through any living style,” he said.
He argued that Hindu identity, in his understanding, cannot be reduced to one language, one form of worship or one lifestyle.
He then added: “Hindus respect all, Hindus accept all.”
These remarks formed a significant part of his discussion about diversity and identity.
8. “Diversity Is Natural. Unity Is The Reality.”
Another prominent line from the Toronto speech was:
“Diversity is natural. Unity is the reality.”
Bhagwat said India's ancient ethos recognised differences in caste, creed and language while seeing an underlying unity.
He argued that diversity should not be treated as something that threatens unity.
Instead, he said: “We have to serve, accept, respect this diversity because it is an expression of unity.”
He described diversity as something that “beautifies” and “decorates” unity.
9. He Invoked “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”
Bhagwat also returned to the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, generally translated as “the world is one family”.
“Those who are open-minded and knowledgeable embrace the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” he said.
He argued that people may differ in appearance and other outward characteristics but remain fundamentally connected.
The idea is also part of the RSS's stated objectives for Bhagwat's 2026 international tour.
The RSS has said the outreach programme covering the US, Canada and Britain is intended, among other things, to take the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and universal oneness to audiences abroad.
10. “Serving Others Is Our Duty”
Bhagwat returned to service towards the end of his argument.
“Therefore, serving others is our duty,” he said.
He linked this responsibility to his broader argument that humanity is fundamentally connected despite visible differences.
He said this understanding could bring “enduring happiness and satisfaction”.
For Bhagwat, this was the larger connection between India's civilisational identity and its role in the world: diversity should be respected, humanity should be seen as connected and service should follow from that belief.
Who Is Mohan Bhagwat?
Mohan Bhagwat is the sixth Sarsanghchalak, or chief, of the RSS. He has led the organisation since 2009.
According to the RSS, Bhagwat was born in Maharashtra in 1950 and graduated in veterinary science before becoming a full-time RSS pracharak. He rose through the organisation before becoming its chief.
His Toronto appearance came during the RSS's centenary year and as part of its three-country international outreach programme.
Why Is The RSS Expanding Its Outreach In The US, Canada And UK?
Bhagwat's Toronto appearance was part of a wider international outreach programme marking the RSS's centenary year.
The RSS has said the three-country tour has three main objectives.
First, it says it wants to present what it describes as a factual and positive perspective on India, Hindu society and the RSS, particularly in response to what it considers misconceptions and misinformation.
Second, it wants to take the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or the idea that the world is one family, to audiences abroad.
Third, the RSS says it wants to increase dialogue with mainstream society about the interests and rights of Hindus and people of Indian origin.
The organisation's overseas presence also includes groups such as the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), which conducts cultural, educational, community and service activities among Hindu communities outside India.
HSS Canada describes itself as an independent, registered Canadian charity. It says its activities include cultural programmes, community initiatives and service projects, and that it has more than 25 weekly shakhas, or meeting centres, across Canada.
There is, however, an important distinction in how the relationship between HSS and the RSS is described.
HSS organisations describe themselves as independent organisations inspired by the RSS. Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board has also cited sources that describe HSS as part of the RSS's overseas network.
The overseas outreach therefore combines community engagement with a broader effort by the RSS to communicate its perspective on India and Hindu society, promote its message of global oneness and engage with diaspora and wider communities.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
What did Mohan Bhagwat say in Toronto?
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said India became a “Vishwaguru” through service rather than by pursuing superpower status, and highlighted what he described as India's history of offering refuge and humanitarian assistance.
What did he say about Hindu identity?
He said the word Hindu cannot be defined by one language, form of worship or lifestyle, adding: “Hindus respect all, Hindus accept all.”
What did he say about diversity?
Bhagwat said, “Diversity is natural. Unity is the reality,” and called for people to serve, accept and respect diversity.
Why was he in Canada?
His Toronto appearance was part of an RSS centenary-year international outreach programme covering the US, Canada and the UK.
Why is the RSS expanding its overseas outreach?
The RSS says the outreach is intended to present its perspective on India and Hindu society, promote Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and engage with wider society on issues concerning Hindus and people of Indian origin abroad.
What is the role of HSS?
The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh conducts cultural, educational, community and service activities among Hindu communities outside India. HSS Canada describes itself as an independent Canadian organisation and says it has more than 25 weekly shakhas across the country.
Was the RSS banned in Canada?
No. There was no Canadian government ban on the RSS. Some Canadian MPs called for a ban and for Bhagwat to be denied entry, but those were political requests. The RSS does not appear on Canada's current official list of terrorist entities.
