New Delhi, May 12: In a strong and clear message during his address on national security on Monday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that India will not yield to threats, including nuclear blackmail, from across the border.
Highlighting the nation's robust stance through "Operation Sindoor," the Prime Minister outlined three key aspects of India’s evolving counter-terrorism doctrine.
“India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force remain on high alert,” Modi stated. “We will evaluate Pakistan’s actions based on the promises it makes. Operation Sindoor is not an isolated incident—it is the new normal in our response to terrorism.”
Three Pillars of India’s New Response Strategy
PM Modi delineated three foundational principles of India’s strategic posture going forward:
- No Tolerance for Nuclear Blackmail: “India will no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail. If any terror infrastructure is used to threaten India under the shadow of nuclear weapons, we will strike decisively at those targets,” he said, asserting India’s right to protect its sovereignty without being deterred by nuclear threats.
- A Tailored Response to Terror: “We will respond to terrorism on our terms,” he added, suggesting that future Indian responses will be swift, precise, and driven by India’s timeline and strategy.
- No Distinction Between Terrorists and Their Supporters: “We will no longer make a distinction between those who carry out terror attacks and those who protect and promote them. They will all be held accountable equally,” Modi declared, targeting not just non-state actors but also their institutional and political backers.
"This Is Not the Era of War, Nor the Era of Terror"
Reflecting on India’s achievements in strengthening its indigenous defense sector, Modi criticized Pakistan for continuing to nurture terrorism. “This is not the era of war, and it certainly should not be the era of terror either,” he said. “But Pakistan, by fostering terrorism, is digging its own grave. Sooner or later, it will have to eradicate terror from its soil to restore peace, not only with its neighbors but within its own borders.”
“Talks Only on Terror and PoK”
In a firm statement aimed at setting the agenda for future diplomacy, PM Modi made it clear that India will not entertain any dialogue with Pakistan unless it directly pertains to terrorism or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). “Let the world hear it clearly—India will not mix talks and trade with terrorism. If there is to be any dialogue with Pakistan, it will be focused solely on terror and PoK,” he said.
“State-Sponsored Terrorism Exposed to the World”
Citing recent developments, Modi pointed to the involvement of the Pakistani military in honoring slain terrorists as the most damning evidence yet of state-sponsored terrorism. “The world has now seen the dirty reality—when senior officers of the Pakistani Army bid farewell to terrorists, there can be no clearer proof of state complicity in terror,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister’s statements underscore a decisive shift in India’s security doctrine and diplomatic tone. Through Operation Sindoor, India signals a readiness to respond to provocations not with restraint but with a resolute, principle-driven approach that prioritizes national security over diplomatic formalities.
