No to Nuclear Blackmail; Talks with Pakistan on Terror, PoK: PM Modi
VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, May 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a nationally televised address via videoconference, laid out India’s assertive and unambiguous stance on terrorism and its policy towards Pakistan following the recent successful military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor.
He said the nation had demonstrated both “strength and restraint,” saluting the bravery of India’s armed forces, intelligence community, and scientists for their precise and courageous role in neutralizing terrorist threats. Modi declared the operation a tribute to every Indian mother, sister, and daughter whose dignity was challenged by terror, calling it a moment of justice long overdue.
Strongly condemning the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam—where holidaying civilians were killed in a horrific act of targeted religious violence—the Prime Minister said it was not just an act of brutality, but a sinister plot to disrupt national unity. He expressed personal anguish and emphasized how the entire country, across communities and political divides, stood together in demanding firm retribution. Asserting that the armed forces were given a free hand, Modi sent a stern warning to terror groups: the consequences of targeting Indian civilians and dishonoring Indian women would be swift and decisive.
PM Modi described Operation Sindoor as more than just a military name—it represented the collective emotion of millions of Indians. He detailed how Indian forces carried out precision strikes on terror camps and launchpads deep inside Pakistan, shattering long-standing safe havens in places like Bahawalpur and Muridke, which had functioned as global jihadist hubs for decades. He drew connections between these centers and international attacks like 9/11 and the London bombings, stating that the terror architecture that had plagued India and the world was dealt a heavy blow. Over 100 hardened terrorists were eliminated, many of them on India’s most-wanted list.
In a sharp rebuke to Islamabad, PM Modi accused Pakistan of responding to its losses with reckless aggression, targeting Indian civilian sites including schools, religious places, and homes. He said Pakistan’s offensive was met with the full might of India’s advanced air defense systems, which intercepted incoming missiles and drones. Indian forces, in response, hit Pakistan’s core military infrastructure, inflicting heavy damage on airbases and command centers. Modi said that within the first 72 hours of India’s counter-strikes, Pakistan had suffered significant setbacks and began seeking diplomatic de-escalation.
By May 10, PM Modi revealed, Pakistan’s military contacted India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) seeking a cessation of hostilities. However, he clarified that India had by then already dismantled key terrorist infrastructure and eliminated multiple high-value targets. In response to Pakistan’s assurances of ending terrorist activities and cross-border aggression, India decided to temporarily halt its operations—but stressed that this pause was not an end, but a watchful intermission. He warned that any deviation from Pakistan’s assurances would prompt further action.
The Prime Minister proclaimed Operation Sindoor as the new doctrine of India’s national security strategy. He outlined three foundational pillars: First, Decisive Retaliation—India will no longer tolerate any terror attack and will strike back with precision on its own terms. Second, No Tolerance for Nuclear Blackmail—India will not be deterred by nuclear threats and any safe haven operating under such a shield will be struck. Third, No Distinction Between Terrorists and Their Sponsors—India now sees terror groups and the states that support them as a single threat.
PM Modi underscored that Pakistan’s top military officials were openly seen at funerals of slain terrorists, proving beyond doubt that terrorism in Pakistan is not a rogue element but a state-sponsored machinery. He reiterated that India would take all steps necessary to protect its citizens and interests, and that it has successfully shifted the rules of engagement with its western neighbor.
Emphasizing that the armed forces remain on maximum alert, he praised India’s ability to dominate conventional, high-altitude, and new-age warfare. He pointed out that the successful deployment of Made-in-India weapon systems during the operation had proven India’s defense manufacturing capabilities on the global stage. He said the world is now witnessing the emergence of India as a 21st-century military power rooted in self-reliance.
Calling national unity the bedrock of India’s strength, PM Modi declared that the era of terrorism must end. “Zero tolerance for terrorism is not just India’s need but the world’s guarantee for peace,” he said. He warned Pakistan that its continued support for terrorism would spell its own doom, and if it seeks survival, it must dismantle its terror ecosystem.
He reiterated India’s unwavering position: there will be no dialogue with Pakistan unless it ends terrorism. “Terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, blood and water cannot flow together,” he said. Any talks, he asserted, will henceforth focus solely on two points—terrorism and the status of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, PM Modi drew on Lord Buddha’s philosophy to underscore that real peace comes from inner strength. He concluded by asserting that India’s recent actions reflect its resolve to maintain peace through strength. He saluted the valor of the armed forces and thanked the people of India for their unity and resilience in the face of provocation.
