India’s PM Modi Addresses Nation After Operation Sindoor, Signals Robust Response to Pakistan

New Delhi, May 9, 2025 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a firm stance following India’s counterstrike against terror bases in Pakistan, codenamed Operation Sindoor, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.

The operation, which Modi personally monitored, targeted militant infrastructure and has escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, drawing global attention.

According to Reuters, Modi postponed a planned trip to Croatia, the Netherlands, and Norway to focus on the crisis, chairing a special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security to strategize India’s next steps. The operation, named symbolically after the vermilion worn by married Hindu women, was a response to the brutal attack where gunmen selectively killed male tourists in front of their families. Modi’s government has framed the strikes as a necessary act of justice, with the Prime Minister stating, “Those who planned and carried out this attack will be punished beyond their imagination.”

The Associated Press (AP) reported that Modi’s rhetoric has been uncompromising, emphasizing that India will “pursue terrorists to the ends of the earth.” This follows India’s diplomatic measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and visa services for Pakistani nationals, moves that Pakistan has called an “act of war.” Modi’s public comments, including a speech in Bihar where he vowed retribution, have rallied domestic support, with Indian politicians across party lines praising the strikes.

Reuters noted that the strikes killed 31 people, including alleged members of militant groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowing retaliation. The AP highlighted global reactions, with U.S. President Donald Trump calling the escalation “a shame” and urging a quick resolution, while China called for restraint. India has also conducted nationwide security drills to prepare for potential Pakistani counterattacks, signaling heightened alertness.

Modi’s official response, as reported by both Reuters and the AP, underscores a dual strategy of military action and diplomatic pressure. He has granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to determine the mode, targets, and timing of further responses, a move that has intensified speculation about additional strikes. The Prime Minister’s focus on “crushing terrorism” reflects India’s resolve, but the risk of escalation remains high as Pakistan reinforces its defenses.

As tensions soar, Modi’s leadership is under scrutiny, with both Reuters and the AP noting the delicate balance between decisive action and avoiding a broader conflict. The international community continues to monitor the situation, with calls for de-escalation growing louder.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press

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