New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first address to the nation following Operation Sindoor, outlined a firm and transformative shift in India’s counter-terrorism policy. Launched in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, Operation Sindoor was described by the Prime Minister not merely as a military strike, but as a new doctrinal and strategic milestone in India’s fight against terrorism.
Modi began his speech by saluting the courage of the Indian armed forces, intelligence agencies, and scientists, crediting them for the precision and success of the strikes. He dedicated the operation to the resolve of the Indian people and the dignity of the nation’s women, referencing the attack’s brutality as a direct assault on India’s unity and values. The Prime Minister stressed that India had given its security forces full freedom to act, and the results demonstrated the country’s strength and resolve. “Every terrorist and terror organisation now knows the cost of targeting India,” he said.
The Prime Minister detailed the strikes, revealing that Indian forces targeted and destroyed key terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Bahawalpur and Muridke, which he described as “global universities of terrorism.” Over 100 terrorists and high-profile leaders who had long evaded justice were eliminated in the operation. He emphasized that these attacks were precise, planned, and executed with indigenous military capability, highlighting the effectiveness of Made-in-India defense equipment.
Modi also addressed Pakistan’s response, accusing it of retaliating with cowardly strikes on Indian civilian areas, including schools, religious places, and homes. He assured the nation that India’s air defense systems successfully intercepted most of these threats, while Indian forces struck deep inside Pakistan, targeting airbases and military infrastructure. The damage inflicted, he said, forced Pakistan into retreat and eventually led to a ceasefire request on May 10, after the Indian military had neutralized major terror infrastructure.
The Prime Minister made it clear that while the active phase of Operation Sindoor has been paused, India’s forces remain vigilant. He issued a stern warning: India will continue to measure Pakistan’s actions and respond accordingly. Modi outlined a new counter-terrorism doctrine, stating that any terrorist attack on India will be met with a strong response on India’s terms; nuclear threats will not deter India from acting decisively; and there will be no distinction between terrorists and their state sponsors. Referring to the attendance of top Pakistani military officials at funerals of terrorists, Modi called it undeniable proof of state-sponsored terrorism.
He further emphasized that talks with Pakistan, if any, will be strictly limited to terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “Terror and talks cannot go together. Terror and trade cannot go together. Water and blood cannot flow together,” Modi declared, sending a clear message to both Islamabad and the international community. He warned that if Pakistan wishes for peace, it must dismantle its terror infrastructure—there is no other path.
Concluding his address on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, Modi invoked the teachings of Lord Buddha, emphasizing that true peace requires strength and preparedness. “This is not the era of war, but it is also not the era of terrorism,” he said, calling for a global commitment to zero tolerance against terror. He reiterated that a strong and united India is key to achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat (Developed India), and praised the nation’s unity in confronting terrorism. The speech ended with a rousing salute to India’s armed forces and citizens: “Bharat Mata ki Jai!”
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