Modi Urges Pakistan to Reject Terrorism, Warns of Strong Indian Response
| 2025-05-26
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹24,000 crore in Dahod.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls on Pakistanis to choose peace and reject terrorism, warning of decisive action after cross-border strikes.
Speaking at a public rally in Bhuj, a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat, on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a direct appeal to Pakistan’s citizens, calling for a rejection of extremism and violence. His remarks followed a recent military operation by Indian forces in response to a deadly terror attack in the northern region of Pahalgam.
“The people of Pakistan need to come forward to get their country rid of terrorism. Their youth will have to come forward,” said Prime Minister Modi, who addressed a crowd after inaugurating development projects valued at more than ₹53,400 crore (approximately USD 6.4 billion).
In a pointed message, he added, “Live a life of peace and eat your bread, or else, my bullet is always ready.” The remark, made in Hindi, underscored the seriousness of India's stance on national security and its zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
The Prime Minister’s address came just days after what Indian defence officials described as a large-scale retaliatory strike—referred to as Operation Sindoor—conducted in response to the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 people dead. While the exact details of the operation have not been officially disclosed, Modi claimed it was “a mission to save humanity and end terrorism.”
“We waited for 15 days hoping Pakistan would act against terrorism. But it seems terrorism is their bread and butter,” Modi said, reinforcing India’s demand for accountability from its neighbour.
According to Modi, the Indian military response was so severe that “their airbases are still in ICU,” implying extensive damage to Pakistani defence infrastructure. He asserted that the scale of the retaliation forced Pakistan into a defensive posture. “It was the valour and bravery of our forces that made Pakistan wave the white flag,” he said.
Symbolism and Historical References
Modi also referred to Pakistan’s alleged deployment of drones near the India-Pakistan border following the operation. He recalled the historical resilience of the women of Kutch, a border district in Gujarat, who rebuilt the Bhuj airstrip in 1971 within 72 hours during the Indo-Pakistani War.
“Even today, the same women have given me their blessings and gifted me a sindoor plant, which I will plant at the Prime Minister’s residence,” he said.
Criticising Pakistan’s ideological outlook, Modi contrasted India’s focus on development and tourism with what he described as Pakistan’s use of terrorism as a state instrument. “India believes in tourism—it connects nations. But Pakistan considers terrorism as tourism. This is dangerous for the world,” he said.
Economic Milestone and National Development
The address also marked the completion of 11 years of Modi's tenure as Prime Minister. He used the occasion to highlight India’s economic ascent, stating that the country had recently overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.
“In contrast, what has Pakistan achieved?” Modi asked. “Those who promoted terrorism have destroyed your future.”
The Bhuj event included the launch of significant infrastructure projects related to renewable energy, port development, and transportation. Modi praised the region’s transformation and resilience, declaring, “Bhuj’s growth story is remarkable. The projects launched today will accelerate progress.”
Context
India and Pakistan have fought several wars and endured decades of strained relations, primarily centred on the disputed region of Kashmir. Terror attacks linked to Pakistan-based militant groups have frequently disrupted diplomatic efforts between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India has increasingly pursued a policy of pre-emptive and retaliatory strikes against what it identifies as terror infrastructure across the border. The Pahalgam attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor are seen as part of this broader security doctrine.
While Pakistan has consistently denied harbouring militants and often rejects Indian allegations, calls from the international community for both countries to exercise restraint have continued. However, Modi’s latest remarks signal a hardened posture, with public messaging aimed as much at Pakistan’s populace as its leadership.
India’s strategic narrative under Modi has included appeals to ordinary Pakistanis, arguing that their future is being undermined by what India perceives as state-sponsored extremism.
As India moves into another phase of economic and infrastructural expansion, its foreign and defence policy appears to be increasingly assertive in addressing perceived security threats from across the border.
“The people of Pakistan need to come forward to get their country rid of terrorism. Their youth will have to come forward,” said Prime Minister Modi, who addressed a crowd after inaugurating development projects valued at more than ₹53,400 crore (approximately USD 6.4 billion).
In a pointed message, he added, “Live a life of peace and eat your bread, or else, my bullet is always ready.” The remark, made in Hindi, underscored the seriousness of India's stance on national security and its zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
The Prime Minister’s address came just days after what Indian defence officials described as a large-scale retaliatory strike—referred to as Operation Sindoor—conducted in response to the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 people dead. While the exact details of the operation have not been officially disclosed, Modi claimed it was “a mission to save humanity and end terrorism.”
“We waited for 15 days hoping Pakistan would act against terrorism. But it seems terrorism is their bread and butter,” Modi said, reinforcing India’s demand for accountability from its neighbour.
According to Modi, the Indian military response was so severe that “their airbases are still in ICU,” implying extensive damage to Pakistani defence infrastructure. He asserted that the scale of the retaliation forced Pakistan into a defensive posture. “It was the valour and bravery of our forces that made Pakistan wave the white flag,” he said.
Symbolism and Historical References
Modi also referred to Pakistan’s alleged deployment of drones near the India-Pakistan border following the operation. He recalled the historical resilience of the women of Kutch, a border district in Gujarat, who rebuilt the Bhuj airstrip in 1971 within 72 hours during the Indo-Pakistani War.
“Even today, the same women have given me their blessings and gifted me a sindoor plant, which I will plant at the Prime Minister’s residence,” he said.
Criticising Pakistan’s ideological outlook, Modi contrasted India’s focus on development and tourism with what he described as Pakistan’s use of terrorism as a state instrument. “India believes in tourism—it connects nations. But Pakistan considers terrorism as tourism. This is dangerous for the world,” he said.
Economic Milestone and National Development
The address also marked the completion of 11 years of Modi's tenure as Prime Minister. He used the occasion to highlight India’s economic ascent, stating that the country had recently overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.
“In contrast, what has Pakistan achieved?” Modi asked. “Those who promoted terrorism have destroyed your future.”
The Bhuj event included the launch of significant infrastructure projects related to renewable energy, port development, and transportation. Modi praised the region’s transformation and resilience, declaring, “Bhuj’s growth story is remarkable. The projects launched today will accelerate progress.”
Context
India and Pakistan have fought several wars and endured decades of strained relations, primarily centred on the disputed region of Kashmir. Terror attacks linked to Pakistan-based militant groups have frequently disrupted diplomatic efforts between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India has increasingly pursued a policy of pre-emptive and retaliatory strikes against what it identifies as terror infrastructure across the border. The Pahalgam attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor are seen as part of this broader security doctrine.
While Pakistan has consistently denied harbouring militants and often rejects Indian allegations, calls from the international community for both countries to exercise restraint have continued. However, Modi’s latest remarks signal a hardened posture, with public messaging aimed as much at Pakistan’s populace as its leadership.
India’s strategic narrative under Modi has included appeals to ordinary Pakistanis, arguing that their future is being undermined by what India perceives as state-sponsored extremism.
As India moves into another phase of economic and infrastructural expansion, its foreign and defence policy appears to be increasingly assertive in addressing perceived security threats from across the border.
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