Address to the Nation- Operation Sindoor new normal in counter-terrorism measures: PM Modi
‘Not an era of war, not of terrorism either’
New Delhi: Operation Sindoor is not just a name but India’s latest policy against terror as it has set a new standard, a “new normal” in counter-terrorism measures, Prime Minister Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Monday.
In his first address to the nation post military action against Pakistan, the prime minister said a new line has been drawn with Operation Sindoor.
“Operation Sindoor was not just a name. Operation Sindoor is now India’s established policy in the fight against terrorism, marking a decisive shift in India’s strategic approach. The operation has set a new standard, a new normal in counter-terrorism measures,” he said.
“Today, every terrorist knows the consequences of wiping the sindoor off the foreheads of our sisters and daughters. Operation Sindoor is an unwavering pledge for justice. Terrorists dared to wipe the sindoor off the foreheads of our sisters, that is why India destroyed the very headquarters of terror,” Modi said.
India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 to destroy nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
All subsequent retaliations to Pakistani offensives were carried out under Operation Sindoor.
The two countries on Saturday announced arriving at an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect.
According to sources, it was Modi who picked the evocative term, “Operation Sindoor”, to code-name the Indian armed forces’ strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and PoK.
With terrorists in Pahalgam gunning down the 26 people, all men and mostly tourists, and the devastated wives of several of the victims becoming the face of the tragedy, the name “Operation Sindoor” was considered appropriate for the retaliatory exercise, the sources noted.
“Sindoor” (vermilion) is associated with married Hindu women in Indian tradition.
The picture of a distraught Himanshi Narwal sitting beside the body of her husband — Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal — in the Baisaran meadow, near the popular south Kashmir tourist town of Pahalgam, became the defining image of the tragedy, which sparked nationwide outrage and a demand for action against the terrorists and their handlers. The couple got married less than a week before the terror strike and was on honeymoon in Kashmir.
Dinesh Mirania of Raipur, Chhattisgarh and Neha had arrived in Kashmir to celebrate their wedding anniversary when the terrorists killed the former, while Kanpur-based businessman Shubham Dwivedi and Aishanya were there after tying the knot in February. Shubham Dwivedi was also among the 26 victims of the Pahalgam attack.
Several women accompanying the victims said the men were shot dead at point-blank range after religious profiling.
The PM asserted that this is not an era of war but not of terrorism either.
PM Modi had said two years back that “this is not an era of war” in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a phrase that had resonated on the global stage.
He said that for India to uphold peace, it must be strong, and when necessary, that strength must be exercised.
“This is not an era of war, but it is not an era of terrorism either. Unity is India’s greatest strength in the fight against all forms of terrorism. Zero Tolerance against terrorism is the guarantee of a better and safer world,” he said.
Modi asserted that Pakistan’s military and government have continuously nurtured terrorism, warning that such actions will eventually lead to Pakistan’s own downfall.
He declared that if Pakistan seeks survival, it must dismantle its terror infrastructure—there is no other path to peace.
He reaffirmed India’s firm stance, stating that terror and talks cannot coexist, terror and trade cannot run parallel, and blood and water cannot flow together.
“Any discussions with Pakistan will focus solely on terrorism and any negotiations with Pakistan will centre around Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK),” he said.
On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, the prime minister reflected on Lord Buddha’s teachings, emphasising that the path to peace must be guided by strength.
“Humanity must progress towards peace and prosperity, ensuring that every Indian can live with dignity and realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat. For India to uphold peace, it must be strong, and when necessary, that strength must be exercised.
“The recent events have demonstrated India’s resolve in safeguarding its principles,” he said.
Asserting that India will not tolerate any “nuclear blackmail”, Prime Minister said that operations against Pakistan have only been kept in abeyance and the future will depend on their behaviour.
The prime minister termed the Pahalgam attack as the most “barbaric face of terrorism”, saying it was personal pain for him, but the enemy has now realised the consequences of removing “sindoor from the forehead of our women”.
Modi said Operation Sindoor was not just a name but, through it, the whole world saw India’s resolve turn into action and more than 100 dreaded terrorists were slaughtered.
“India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. We have only kept in abeyance our operations against Pakistan, the future will depend on their behaviour. Operation Sindoor is now India’s new policy against terrorism, a new line has been drawn,” he said.
PM Modi said India will not see terrorists and their state sponsors separately.
Pakistan has to dismantle its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace, the prime minister said.
“Pahalgam attack was the most barbaric face of terrorism, it was a personal pain for me. We gave the armed forces full liberty to raze terrorists to dust. The enemy has now realised the consequences of removing ‘sindoor’ from the forehead of our women. Operation Sindoor was not just a name… on May 7, the whole world saw our resolve turn into action,” he said.
“When our missiles and drones destroyed terror sites in Pakistan, not only their buildings but their spirit was also demolished. When ‘Nation First’ is our resolve, steely decisions are taken,” he said.
Saluting the security forces, PM Modi dedicated their bravery to mothers, sisters and daughters of this country.
Pakistan slumped into gloom after the Indian attack on terror camps, “but they dared to attack us rather than helping fight terrorism. More than 100 dreaded terrorists were slaughtered in the Indian attack”, Modi said.
“The entire world saw how Pakistani drones were downed by our military might. India has struck at the heart of Pakistan, our missiles attacked with precision to damage their air bases,” he said.
