Operation Sindoor: Modi’s New Anti-Terror Policy

New Delhi - In a powerful address to the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India’s resolute new approach to countering terrorism following Operation Sindoor. He issued a stern warning to Pakistan, emphasizing that India will not bow to nuclear threats and that terrorism is incompatible with diplomacy or trade.

“Operation Sindoor marks a defining shift in India’s fight against terrorism. It is our new reality. We have paused our actions against Pakistan, but their future conduct will determine our next steps,” Modi stated in a 22-minute speech.

He cautioned Pakistan’s leadership, saying, “The terrorists they have harbored for years will eventually consume their own nation. For Pakistan to survive, it must eradicate terrorism entirely.”

Modi made it clear that India will treat state-sponsored terrorism and individual terrorists as one and the same, promising swift and decisive action against any provocations. “This is not a time for war, nor is it a time for terror,” he declared, while commending the armed forces for their role in compelling Pakistan to seek peace after significant damage to eight of its airbases.

He stressed that any dialogue with Pakistan would focus solely on terrorism and the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Modi’s remarks on trade echoed recent comments by US President Donald Trump, who noted that his administration would engage in trade with India and Pakistan only if their conflict ceases. Trump also warned that the tensions risked escalating into a catastrophic nuclear conflict.

Reflecting on the Pahalgam attack, which Modi called “terrorism’s most heinous expression,” he described it as a personal blow. He linked the attack to the symbolic act of wiping “sindoor” from the foreheads of Indian women, vowing that the enemy now faces the consequences. “Through Operation Sindoor, India has shown the world its resolve in action, eliminating over 100 notorious terrorists,” he said, dedicating the military’s bravery to the nation’s women.

Modi outlined India’s “new normal” in combating terrorism: delivering proportionate responses to attacks, targeting terrorist sanctuaries shielded by nuclear threats, and holding governments that support terrorism accountable. “Pakistan must dismantle its terror networks. There is no other path to peace,” he asserted.

He noted that India halted its military operations only after Pakistan pledged to cease its aggressive actions, following the destruction of key terror infrastructure. “The Pahalgam attack struck at our hearts, but our forces were given full authority to reduce terrorist hideouts to rubble,” Modi said.

He highlighted the precision of India’s missile and drone strikes, which not only demolished terror facilities but also shattered Pakistan’s morale. “When our priority is ‘Nation First,’ we make unwavering decisions,” he added.

Modi reiterated that terrorism cannot coexist with trade or talks, and he referenced India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, stating, “Blood and water cannot flow together.” He also informed global leaders that India’s policy is to discuss only terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in any dialogue.

The prime minister praised the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and scientists, concluding his address with three chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” He underscored the nation’s unity in the face of the Pahalgam attack, which aimed to sow communal discord through religious profiling of victims. “Our unity is our greatest asset,” he said.

Modi revealed that India’s strikes targeted terror networks linked to global attacks, including 9/11 and the London tube bombings. He also recounted Pakistan’s failed retaliatory strikes, noting that Indian defenses effortlessly neutralized their drones and missiles.

Operation Sindoor showcased India’s advanced military capabilities, with the armed forces excelling in diverse terrains and modern warfare. Modi emphasized the effectiveness of indigenous weapons, signaling their growing prominence. He added that Pakistan, reeling from three days of intense Indian strikes, sought international intervention to halt the offensive.

Quoting Lord Buddha, whose birth anniversary coincided with the address, Modi said, “Peace requires strength.” He affirmed that India’s recent actions reflect the necessity of power to ensure peace and prosperity.