Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a new benchmark in India’s fight against terrorism, stating that the recent military strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan marked a turning point in India’s security doctrine.

In his address to the nation on 12 May, PM Modi praised the Indian armed forces, intelligence agencies and scientists for their role in the precision strikes, which he said demonstrated India’s capabilities in ‘New Age Warfare’ and its zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.

PM Modi said the strikes were in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack on 22 April, which he described as a barbaric act aimed at dividing the country along communal lines. He noted that India’s response was swift and decisive, claiming that more than 100 terrorists and leaders who had been operating in Pakistan for decades were killed in the operation.

The Prime Minister also warned that India would not tolerate nuclear blackmail, pledging that India would act decisively against any such threats. He stated that India’s retaliation had severely damaged Pakistan’s terror and military infrastructure, forcing Islamabad to seek international intervention to ease tensions.

Reaffirming India’s position, PM Modi said that any future talks with Pakistan would only focus on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He concluded his address by invoking the teachings of Lord Buddha, calling for peace but emphasising that peace must be backed by strength.