In his first address since a 50-hour ceasefire took effect between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the nation on Monday at 8 PM, hailing the strength and resolve of the armed forces and declaring a decisive shift in India's counter-terrorism strategy through Operation Sindoor.
PM Modi praised the bravery of the Indian military, intelligence agencies, and scientists, stating, “I salute the armed forces… Today, I dedicate this valour to every mother, sister and daughter of the country.” Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, he said, “The barbarism shown by terrorists… shook the country and the world.”
However, what raised everyone's eyebrows when PM Modi outlined what will be India's new approach i.e. Act of War will be like if the country faces new terror attacks. PM Modi further outlined Pakistan's cowardly nuclear blackmail. Below is what he said-
Prime Minister Modi also said, "We have only paused our retaliatory action on Pakistan’s terrorist and military infrastructures for now. In upcoming days, every step taken by Pakistan will be keenly observed based on the approach and conduct it adopts. No nuclear blackmail will be tolerated anymore...We will not see separately terrorists and their state sponsors. Terrorist attack on India will have to face a befitting reply, and the response will be on our terms."
"When Indian missiles and drones attacked those sites in Pakistan, it was not just the buildings of the terrorist organisations, but their courage also shook. Terrorist sites like Bhawalpur and Muridke were the universities of global terrorism. All big terrorist attacks in the world, including 9/11 or big terrorist attacks in India, are somehow or the other connected to these terrorist sites....'Aatankiyo ne hamari behano ka Sindoor ujada tha isliye Bharat ne aatank ke headquarters ujaad diye'. Over 100 terrorists were killed..."
"..The world has seen that dirty truth of Pakistan when the high-ranked officers of the Army bid the slain terrorists adieu. There cannot be a bigger proof of state-sponsored terrorism....If there will be talks between India and Pakistan, it will only be on terrorism and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK)...India's stand has been clear, terror, trade, and talks cannot be done together."