In a firm address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a significant shift in India's counter-terrorism policy, making it clear that India would respond decisively to any future terrorist attacks and would hold both terrorists and their state sponsors accountable. This announcement follows the successful "Operation Sindoor," a retaliatory strike launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 people.
PM Modi described "Operation Sindoor" as a new doctrine, emphasizing decisive retaliation against terrorism, zero tolerance for nuclear blackmail, and no distinction between terrorists and those who support them. He asserted that India would not tolerate any form of terrorism and would retaliate strongly against any such threat. He outlined a three-pronged warning, stating that India would respond in its own way and on its own terms to any terrorist attack, take strict action wherever the roots of terrorism emerge, and not tolerate any nuclear blackmail, launching a strong and decisive attack on terrorist hideouts developing under the pretext of nuclear blackmail.
The Prime Minister's address underscored a strategic shift: India will no longer treat terrorist groups and their state sponsors as separate entities. He made it clear that any dialogue with Pakistan would be limited to terrorism and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). "Talks and terror cannot go together, talks and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot go together," he stated, referencing the putting in abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty.
PM Modi praised the Indian Armed Forces for their role in dismantling Pakistan-based terror infrastructure, asserting that Pakistan was left "begging for peace". He highlighted that India's missile and drone strikes on terrorist hubs in Pakistan shattered their infrastructure and morale. He pointed out that locations like Bahawalpur and Muridke had long operated as centers of global terrorism, linking them to major attacks worldwide.
The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of nuclear blackmail, stating that India would not tolerate any attempts to use nuclear threats to shield terrorist activities. "Any nuclear blackmail won't be tolerated by India. Terror infra operating under nuclear blackmail will be targeted by India," he affirmed.
PM Modi's remarks indicate a significant change in India's policy against terror. He publicly called out Pakistan's entire terror apparatus, characterizing Bahawalpur and Muridke as "universities of terror". He also emphasized that the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was only a pause and that Pakistan's actions in the coming days would be evaluated for any further action. He warned that the Pakistani state's sponsorship of terror would ultimately lead to its own destruction.
The Prime Minister's strong message reflects a new normal in India's approach to counter-terrorism, signaling a willingness to take decisive action against those who perpetrate and support terrorism, regardless of their location or affiliation.
