On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation for the first time after the Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 innocent civilians in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
No Dialogue Without Action on PoK and Terror
In his address, he was direct and bold on the issue of terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Prime Minister Modi said that zero tolerance of terrorism was the guarantee for a better world.
A loud and clear message was also there; PM Modi clarified to the international community that talks with Pakistan would only take place on the issue of terrorism and PoK.
“Talks and terror can’t go hand in hand, terror and trade can’t go together, and water and blood (referring to the suspension of the Indus water treaty) cannot flow together”, he said during his address.
PM Modi also exposed Pakistan in the eyes of international media, where he added that India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail, while acting against terror and its sponsor, Pakistan.
Terrorism Now Equals War in India’s Strategic Doctrine
India has recently changed its national security posture, where the country has made changes to how it perceives terrorism. With the new definition, any act of terrorism will be considered an act of war by India. This is a major policy change by India, which has brought India into the league of the US, France, Russia, and Israel. These nations also consider acts of terrorism and acts of war. India has established a “new normal” in dealing with terror incidents – of responding to them in a language that the terrorists understood, the PM said.
Also Read: India Redefines National Security: Terror Attacks to Be Met with ‘Acts of War’
Mentioning the presence of Pakistani army generals at funerals of terrorists killed in operation Sindoor, PM Modi added that India has not only unmasked the fact that the Pakistani state sponsors terrorism but also established the link between the Pakistani military and terrorists to the world.
Pakistan’s Nukes Will No Longer Deter Indian Action
The Prime Minister’s speech is significant. It indicates that India will respond again with fury if state-sponsored terrorism harms any citizen of India. At the same time, it was a direct message to the world that if required, India will take punitive actions against the Pakistani state, even if they blackmail India into using a Nuclear weapon.
Experts say the comments coming from the Prime Minister himself are a huge change in India’s policy against terror. India has already suffered numerous terror attacks with cross-border linkages.
PM Modi publicly called out the entire terror apparatus of Pakistan and called Bahawalpur and Muridke “universities of terror”. He said, “We will not see terrorists and the government separately.
PM lauded that Operation Sindoor has not yet been finished, and the cessation of hostilities between the two nations should only be seen as temporary. India will watch Pakistan’s action carefully for the next few days and evaluate further action. Citing his old quote, he said that this is not an era of war, but this is not the era of terrorism either.
A Unified Front of Army, Navy, Air Force & BSF
He outlined the role of the three forces -Army, Air Force, and Navy, along with the Border Security Force (BSF) in attacking Pakistan as well as defending India. He also outlined India’s preparedness for 21st-century warfare. The message was straightforward: that the Indian weapons capabilities are world-class, and they can defend the nation from aerial threats and attack the rival nation with precision.
After seeing the intensity of destruction, Pakistan begged for a cessation of hostilities. The Pakistani military officials approached India about it and gave assurance that they will act against terror.
Prime Minister Modi’s resolute address marks a pivotal shift in India’s counter-terrorism strategy, underscoring a firm stance of zero tolerance toward terrorism and its state sponsors. With a bold message to both Pakistan and the international community, India has declared that terror will now be treated as an act of war. The speech reflects India’s readiness to defend itself with force, uphold national security, and expose Pakistan’s terror links globally. Operation Sindoor signifies a new doctrine—swift, strong, and strategic retaliation. As Modi emphasized, the current pause in hostilities is only temporary; India remains vigilant and prepared for any further provocations.