SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that repeated challenges to India’s strength have required firm responses, referring to recent events, including “Operation Sindoor.” He reiterated India’s commitment to peace but stated that security threats cannot go unanswered.
Speaking in Gandhinagar, PM Modi said, “Over the past two days, during my visits to Vadodara, Dahod, Bhuj, Ahmedabad, and Gandhinagar, I have witnessed patriotic fervour and the resonance of success from Operation Sindoor. The tricolour is being proudly waved not just here in Gujarat but across the country.”
Referring to India’s cultural ethos, he said, “India believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family. We do not seek enmity with anyone. We have consistently advocated peace and stability with all nations.”
However, PM Modi noted that recent developments had changed the nature of threats. “What used to be termed a proxy war has now transformed. After May 6, describing it as proxy warfare is no longer accurate,” he said.
He said that nine terrorist bases were eliminated within 22 minutes, with the entire operation documented on camera to maintain transparency and avoid domestic speculation. He added that funerals of terrorists held in Pakistan with full honours and coffins draped in national flags—were clear evidence of state support. “This was not a proxy effort but a structured military strategy,” he said.
He referred to the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, stating that India responded with conviction. “We had resolved to remove the thorn of terrorism and we did it,” he said.
Recalling the first attack on India in 1947, PM Modi said part of India was taken by Pakistan, which then became a base for terrorism. He recalled Sardar Patel’s stance that the Army should have reclaimed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a view that was not acted upon at the time.
He said the recent Pahalgam attack was part of this long history of terrorism, and while India had repeatedly defeated Pakistan in open warfare, the neighbouring country had resorted to sending trained militants to attack civilians.
On the Indus Water Treaty, which has been placed in abeyance, PM Modi said India must reclaim its rightful share of water. He highlighted long-standing neglect of dam maintenance and water regulation in Jammu and Kashmir. “Dams were built, but not maintained. Storage dropped to just two or three percent of capacity. Initial steps have now been taken to correct this,” he said.
Reflecting on May 26 as the anniversary of his first oath-taking as Prime Minister in 2014, Modi noted India’s rise in global rankings despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, border tensions, and natural disasters. “We moved from the 11th largest economy to the 4th, and our progress continues,” he said.
He urged the younger generation to understand how India’s growth has often faced obstruction and underlined the importance of national unity and resilience. (KNO)
