Op Sindoor: PM Modi's address spells out 3 key points on Pak and terrorism
Modi speaks of how India will deal with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, what its talks in the future will involve, and who approached other nations for help
Three weeks after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Indians, and five days after the launch of India’s Operation Sindoor offensive that killed around 100 terrorists and razed down nine terror camps on Pakistani soil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (May 12) spelt out India’s anti-terrorism policy.
India, henceforth, “will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail”, said Modi in a televised address to the nation, his first since Operation Sindoor. Operations against Pakistan have only been kept in abeyance, and the future course of action will depend on the adversary’s behaviour, he said in very precise language.
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Modi made three observations that stood out — that India is going to deal with Pakistan firmly; that any talks with Pakistan will be restricted to terrorism and PoK; and that it was a desperate Pakistan that roped in global help, not India.
Future course vis-a-vis Pak
Insisting that India has proof of state-sponsored terrorism by Pakistan, Modi said New Delhi will no longer differentiate the Pakistani state from Pakistani terrorists. If Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists and terror infra, India will take action.
“India will not tolerate any form of nuclear blackmail,” he said. “The world witnessed the grim reality of Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, when top officials of the Pakistani military openly stood in solidarity with terrorists. This stands as the strongest evidence of state-sponsored terrorism.”
“The longevity of the ceasefire will depend on Pakistan keeping its promise to India — its soil will no longer be used to launch terror or military strikes against India,” he said.
While a ceasefire is on and Operation Sindoor has been paused, it can be restarted any minute, warned the Prime Minister. “The forces are ready,” he said. India will relentlessly go after terrorists who harm its citizens, he added.
Blood and water
Modi then spelt out how India will proceed with Pakistan diplomatically. “Any talks with Pakistan in the future will be over the limited issues of anti-terrorism and PoK (India's right to take it back),” he said, adding that issues such as trade and the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) will not be discussed with the neighbour.
“Blood and water cannot flow together,” he noted. “Trade and terror can't happen simultaneously.”
He said India has zero tolerance towards terrorism, which gives no room for diplomatic discussions. “If Pakistan wants to protect itself, it will have to clear its terror infrastructure in the country. There is no other option,” he added.
International support
Modi next addressed the issue of the involvement of other nations in India-Pakistan talks. It was Pakistan that pleaded with other nations to get India to stop the military offensive, he said.
“Pakistan, after getting badly beaten, contacted our DGMO. Till then, we had been destroying their terror infrastructure. So, when they said they wouldn't attack India anymore, we started discussing a ceasefire.”
“Pakistan approached other nations for help. They promised to stop supporting terrorism. New Delhi heard their plea and considered it only after Islamabad promised to stop its misadventure,” said Modi.
“Operation Sindoor has now drawn a new red line in our policy towards Pakistan’s terrorist activities. We will retaliate strongly for every terror act from Pakistan,” he said in no uncertain terms.
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Lauds armed forces
Modi lauded the Indian armed forces and intelligence agencies for their role in the operation. “I salute their bravery,” he said, adding that when the nation is united, bold decisions can be taken. He said the victory of Operation Sindoor is dedicated to the mothers and sisters of the country.
"Terrorists wouldn't have dreamed that India would take such big steps... When Indian missiles and drones attacked sites in Pakistan, it was not just the buildings of the terrorists, but their courage was thrashed,” he said.