“Bharat Will Not Be Deterred By Nuclear Blackmail,” PM Modi

In this image via PMO, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Nation, Monday, May 12, 2025. (PMO via PTI Photo)

In a strong message against state-sponsored terror, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warned Pakistan that “nuclear blackmail” will not deter India in taking its fight against terrorism to terror hubs across the border.

In a short address to the Nation, Modi said Operation Sindoor marks a “new normal” in India’s fight against terrorism which will breach boundaries and strike at the root of state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan.

“After surgical strikes and air strikes, Operation Sindoor is our strategy. Operation Sindoor has drawn a new normal in India’s fight against terrorism – if any terror strike happens, we will give befitting a reply. We will go to any place and strike at the root of terrorism. India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. We will not allow terrorism to grow in the shadow of nuclear blackmail. We make no distinction between terrorists and states sponsoring terrorism,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister asserted that the success of India’s military strike forced Pakistan to appeal for a truce. He said India agreed to a truce because its objective of destroying terror camps and exposing the vulnerability of Pakistan’s counter-offensive had already succeeded.

While US President Donald Trump has again claimed that it was him who intervened and halted the hostilities, PM Modi said India suspended military action on an appeal by Pakistan.

“The whole world saw their drones and missiles reduced to ashes. Our strong air defence systems destroyed them. They struck at the LoC but we struck back at the heart of their operations. Pakistani Air Force bases were struck… After having been punished, on May 10 afternoon, Pakistani Army called our DGMO. By then, we had already destroyed their terror hubs and killed the terrorists. We had reduced their terror headquarters to ashes. When Pakistan appealed to us and said they would not repeat any terror activities and military action, we considered it,” said Modi.

Modi also made it clear that military action has only been paused on Pakistan’s promise that they would not undertake any more missions against India. He also said India’s future action will depend on how Pakistan acts in the future.

“We have only suspended our action on terror infrastructure and military basis. Our future action will depend on how Pakistan responds,” he said.

Modi said there will be no engagement with Pakistan till it ceases to support terrorism.

“Bharat’s message is clear – terror and talks do not go together. Terror and trade do not go together. Water and blood do not flow together. I would tell the global community – it is our strategy that if we talk to Pakistan, we will talk about terrorism. If there is dialogue with Pakistan, it will be about PoK,” he said.