'Operation Sindoor sets a new paradigm in India’s fight against terrorism': PM Modi

In a forceful and emotionally charged national address following the conclusion of Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 12 declared that India’s stand against terrorism has entered a new phase.

He affirmed that India will not succumb to "nuclear blackmail" and emphasized that its recent military action against Pakistan has merely been paused, not concluded. The future course of action, he underlined, will depend on how Pakistan conducts itself going forward.

Operation Sindoor, which was launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives—mostly tourists in Jammu and Kashmir—has been described by PM Modi as India’s new strategic framework in dealing with cross-border terrorism. “Operation Sindoor is now India’s policy against terrorism. A new line has been drawn,” he declared.

In his 22-minute speech, the Prime Minister unequivocally stated: “Terror and talks can’t go hand in hand, terror and trade can’t go hand in hand, water and blood can’t flow together.”

He added that any dialogue with Pakistan will now only concern two issues: terrorism and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). “I want to let the international community know that talks with Pakistan can only happen on terror and return of PoK and nothing else,” Modi said.

Earlier on Monday, Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) from India and Pakistan held direct-level talks, following escalated tensions after the military engagement during Operation Sindoor. India had earlier accused Pakistan of violating the "bilateral understanding" reached over the weekend, just hours after it had been finalized.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines again when he stated that he played a pivotal role in preventing a nuclear standoff between India and Pakistan. “I was gonna do a lot of trade with you, let’s stop it,” Trump said, claiming his intervention helped de-escalate the situation.

Key takeaways from PM Modi’s address:

1. No Tolerance for State-Sponsored Terrorism
   Referring to the Pahalgam massacre, Modi described it as “the most barbaric face of terrorism”. He stated, “We will take decisive action against terrorist bases operating under the guise of such threats. There will be no distinction between government-sponsored terrorism and terrorist organisations.” He highlighted that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistani military officials were seen supporting terrorist factions—an undeniable indicator of state sponsorship.
2. Terror and Talks Are Incompatible
   Modi reiterated India’s long-standing policy that diplomatic or trade relations cannot coexist with terrorism. “Terror and talks can’t go hand in hand, terror and trade can’t go hand in hand, water and blood can’t flow together,” he repeated firmly.
3. Operation Sindoor is India’s New Strategic Doctrine
   India’s combined armed forces, including the Air Force, Navy, Army, and paramilitary forces, remain on high alert. “After the surgical strike and air strike, Operation Sindoor is India’s policy against terrorism,” the Prime Minister stated. “Operation Sindoor has drawn a new line against terrorism.”
4. Symbol of National Resolve
   “Operation Sindoor is not just a military mission, it is the reflection of the emotions of a billion Indians,” Modi said. He emphasized the emotional and strategic dimensions of the operation, calling it a national assertion of justice.
5. Pakistan’s Miscalculated Retaliation
   Instead of aiding in the fight against terrorism, Pakistan retaliated by targeting Indian civilian and religious sites, Modi pointed out. He listed attacks on schools, colleges, gurudwaras, temples, and military locations as examples of their misdirected aggression.

He detailed how India’s air defense systems neutralized Pakistani drones and missiles, while Indian strikes targeted core Pakistani Air Force infrastructure. “In just three days, India inflicted damage on a scale Pakistan had never expected,” Modi said.

6. International Appeal by Pakistan
   Pakistan, overwhelmed by the precision and intensity of India’s response, reached out to the international community to ease tensions. “By the time their forces contacted our DGMO on May 10, India had already dismantled major terror hubs across the region,” he revealed.
7. Pakistan’s Assurance Led to Pause
   Modi said, “When Pakistan reached out, they assured that there would be no further terrorist activity or military aggression from their side. Only then did India consider its response. I repeat once again — we have merely suspended our retaliatory actions against Pakistan’s terrorist and military targets for now.”
8. Firm Stand Against Nuclear Threats
   Modi made it clear that India would not be coerced by nuclear threats. “India will not tolerate any form of nuclear blackmail,” he asserted. The Prime Minister reiterated that decisive action will be taken against any terrorist sanctuaries, regardless of the threats used to shield them.
9. Undeniable Proof of State Complicity
   Echoing his earlier point, Modi emphasized the unprecedented visibility of Pakistan’s military colluding with terror outfits. “The world witnessed the grim reality of Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, when top officials of the Pakistani military openly stood in solidarity with terrorists. This stands as the strongest evidence of state-sponsored terrorism,” he said.
10. The Pahalgam Attack Was Personal
    Modi described the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike as a personal tragedy and an affront to national dignity. “The enemy has now realised the consequences of removing ‘sindoor’ from the forehead of our women,” he said, reflecting both personal anguish and national resolve.

Global Reaction and Diplomatic Support

Following the escalation, several key global players responded to the situation. The United States, United Kingdom, France, and several European Union nations acknowledged India's right to self-defense while simultaneously calling for calm and dialogue to prevent further deterioration.

The United Nations Secretary-General also issued a statement expressing concern over rising tensions in the region and encouraged both countries to engage in peaceful resolution mechanisms. However, most international observers echoed India’s stance that terrorism cannot be tolerated under any pretext.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s Statement

Just before PM Modi’s address, U.S. President Donald Trump once again commented on the India-Pakistan conflict, claiming he had averted a potential nuclear war. “I stopped it. I said I’m gonna do a lot of trade with you, let’s stop it,” Trump told reporters, referring to conversations with both New Delhi and Islamabad.

Although Trump’s remarks stirred diplomatic discussions, New Delhi maintained silence, choosing instead to focus on its own national security narrative.

Strategic Implications of Operation Sindoor

Defense analysts believe Operation Sindoor marks a strategic turning point in India's counter-terrorism operations. Unlike previous responses that were either covert or limited in scope, this mission was robust, multi-layered, and unequivocally public. It involved coordinated strikes by the Indian Air Force, Navy, and Army, signifying the government's willingness to utilize its full spectrum of military capabilities in response to cross-border terror.

Experts also noted that India's success in intercepting Pakistan’s aerial retaliation through superior air-defense systems such as the S-400 and Akash batteries has bolstered confidence in its defense preparedness.

More importantly, India's offensive capabilities, demonstrated through precision strikes using drones and missile systems, suggest a doctrinal shift from strategic restraint to preemptive deterrence.

Ceasefire with Conditions: Not a Conclusion, But a Warning

In concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India’s restraint should not be misinterpreted as weakness. “We have only paused,” he said, underlining that retaliatory operations have been suspended—not terminated.

The Prime Minister reiterated that any future engagement with Pakistan will strictly be conditional and limited to discussions on terrorism and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

This evolving security doctrine, backed by the moral authority of a democratic state responding to terrorism, has received support from allies while putting the onus squarely on Pakistan to ensure no further provocation occurs.

A Nation Recalibrated

As India prepares for the next steps, Operation Sindoor has become more than a military mission—it is a message. A message that India will no longer absorb the shock of terrorism in silence. A message that justice will be swift, strategic, and absolute. And most importantly, a message that any attempt to disrupt peace and security will come at an unsustainable cost.

India’s political and military leadership has made it clear: this is the new normal. The era of ambiguous responses is over, and the global community is now a witness to India’s resolute stand.

(Note: Additional defense inputs and global reactions have been included from verified reports by The Indian Express, The Hindu, and Times of India to provide comprehensive context.)