India Rejects Nuclear Blackmail Amid Pakistan Tensions, Says PM Modi
| 2025-05-12
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Nation, Monday, May 12, 2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warns against nuclear blackmail and affirms Operation Sindoor as a decisive response to terrorism amid Pakistan tensions.
India warns against nuclear blackmail as PM Modi defends Operation Sindoor
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned that India will not tolerate nuclear blackmail and reaffirmed a strong stance against terrorism, following heightened military tensions with Pakistan. His televised address on Monday marked his first public remarks since India launched Operation Sindoor, a major military action in response to recent terrorist attacks.
The prime minister described the operation as a clear message to terrorists and their supporters, declaring that “terror and talks cannot go together” and that India would take action “on its own terms” if provoked.
Operation Sindoor and India’s military response
Operation Sindoor, launched in early May, was a coordinated military effort involving India’s army, navy and air force, in response to a deadly attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi said Indian forces targeted terrorist training facilities within Pakistan, including locations in Bahawalpur and Muridke. He characterised these sites as "terror universities" and stated that they had been struck with precision.
“This was not just a military operation—it was a pledge for justice,” Modi said. “Every terrorist now knows the cost of sindoor,” he added, referring to the operation’s codename, which symbolises sacrifice and honour in Indian culture.
The prime minister alleged that Pakistan’s military infrastructure had been used to support terrorism and that Indian strikes had also hit air bases in a “calibrated” manner.
De-escalation agreement followed by renewed hostilities
India and Pakistan had announced a mutual pause in hostilities on May 10 following days of cross-border exchanges, in what was described as an understanding to prevent further escalation. However, Indian officials later accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire just hours after the agreement, reigniting tensions.
Despite the temporary halt in offensive operations, Modi stressed that it was only a pause, not a resolution. “We have just paused our counter-offensive. Future actions will depend on Pakistan’s conduct,” he said.
He also warned that India no longer distinguishes between terrorist groups and their state sponsors, pointing to what he called evidence of Pakistan’s military honouring militants killed in recent strikes.
International mediation and India’s firm policy stance
Modi’s remarks came amid speculation about the role of foreign governments in brokering the temporary ceasefire. Reports had suggested that the United States had played a key role in pushing for de-escalation. Critics within India questioned whether the agreement amounted to a concession under international pressure.
In response, Modi reaffirmed India’s sovereign right to defend itself, declaring that “blood and water cannot flow together” and reiterating that no dialogue or trade with Pakistan would occur unless terrorism is dismantled.
India’s long-standing position has been that any negotiations with Pakistan must focus solely on two issues: the dismantling of terrorist networks and the status of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Domestic and military leadership backing
Prior to the address, Modi held a high-level meeting in New Delhi attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and all three service chiefs.
The discussions were aimed at reviewing the military response and assessing next steps, particularly in the context of ongoing threats from cross-border terrorist groups.
Modi credited India’s armed forces with executing the operation effectively and said the government had granted them full operational freedom. “Terrorists never imagined India would respond in this manner,” he said.
Context: India-Pakistan relations and strategic challenges
India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed neighbours, have fought three wars since gaining independence in 1947. The two countries frequently experience spikes in military and diplomatic tensions, particularly over the disputed region of Kashmir.
The recent conflict marks one of the most serious escalations since the 2019 Pulwama attack and subsequent Balakot airstrikes. As in previous confrontations, India has sought to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, citing state-sponsored terrorism.
Operation Sindoor may further alter the strategic calculus in the region. Analysts say India’s willingness to strike across the border and publicly acknowledge such actions signals a shift towards more assertive counter-terrorism operations.
Prime Minister Modi concluded his speech by calling for national unity and self-reliance, particularly in defence manufacturing. “Made-in-India defence is not a slogan—it is a necessity,” he said.
He reiterated that while “this is not an era of war, it is not an era of terror either,” vowing that India will continue to protect its people and sovereignty through decisive action.
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