Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the centenary celebrations of Jain spiritual leader Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj in New Delhi, delivered a sharp message aimed at Pakistan, though without explicitly naming the country. Modi asserted that while India introduced the world to non-violence, it would not allow anyone to "meddle" with it.
Modi's statement comes in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the death of 26 civilians. India has blamed Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives for the attack and launched "Operation Sindoor" as a military response. Modi alluded to this operation during his speech, suggesting the audience was conveying their blessings for it.
The Prime Minister emphasized that service and humanity are central to India's ethos. He highlighted India's long-standing tradition of non-violence, contrasting it with the historical reliance on violence to quell conflict. Modi credited India's "saints, seers, mahants and acharyas" for the country's "immortal philosophy". He also stated that these philosophies have inspired the government's welfare schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jivan Mission and Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
In May 2025, amid the conflict, Modi stated that the "way to peace also goes via exercise of strength". He made it clear that "Talks and terror cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot go together," implying the unlikelihood of diplomatic progress unless Pakistan addressed terrorism concerns. Modi also asserted that Pakistan's "nuclear blackmail" would not deter India from taking appropriate action. He also stated that Pakistan needs to eliminate its "terrorist infrastructure".
Modi's comments reflect a broader shift in India's approach to dealing with cross-border terrorism. The country is no longer hesitant to use military force. This was evident in the response to the Pahalgam attack, with India carrying out strikes on what it claimed were "terrorist camps" in Pakistan. Modi's government has also made it clear that it will not distinguish between terrorists and their state sponsors, even if that sponsor is the Pakistani state.
