In a powerful declaration echoing India’s unyielding stance on national security and counter-terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered a categorical warning to Pakistan: there will be no dialogue and no trade between the two nations. The only discussion, he asserted, will be on the subject of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Addressing a public rally in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi underscored India’s firm and decisive approach following recent cross-border provocations. He referred to “Operation Sindoor,” a retaliatory counter-terror action in the wake of a Pakistan-sponsored attack in Pahalgam, emphasizing that India’s armed forces have been given a “free hand” to respond to such threats with speed and precision. “In response to the attacks on the 22nd, within just 22 minutes, our forces destroyed nine of the biggest terrorist bases,” PM Modi stated, sending a clear message to India’s adversaries.
The Prime Minister’s remarks mark a significant hardening of India’s diplomatic posture. He unequivocally stated, “There will be no talks and no trade with Pakistan. If there are talks, they will only be about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.” This reiterates India’s consistent position that cross-border terrorism, emanating from Pakistani soil, is an insurmountable hurdle to any meaningful engagement. India maintains that terrorism and dialogue cannot coexist, and any future discussions must revolve around the issue of terrorism and the restoration of PoK to India.
Furthermore, PM Modi issued a stark warning regarding Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism. He vowed to block India’s rightful share of river water from flowing into Pakistan, emphasizing that if terror exports persist, Pakistan would be left “begging for every drop of water.” Dismissing nuclear threats from across the border, the Prime Minister declared, “India will not be scared of nuclear threats.”
Striking an emotional chord, PM Modi asserted, “Not blood, but sindoor runs in my veins,” symbolizing India’s unwavering resolve and its commitment to protecting its people. He also underscored that any future response to terrorist attacks on India would be entirely at the discretion of the armed forces, who would choose the time and method of retaliation.
This firm declaration comes amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The recent Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives, primarily Hindu pilgrims, has significantly escalated the already strained relations. India’s “Operation Sindoor” involved targeted strikes on alleged terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, leading to claims of over 100 terrorists being neutralized. While a U.S.-mediated ceasefire was announced on May 10, the underlying grievances and core disputes remain unaddressed.
India’s long-standing position on Jammu and Kashmir remains that the entire region is an integral part of India, and the only outstanding matter is the vacation of territories illegally occupied by Pakistan. This stance has been consistently reiterated by Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who has emphasized that every Indian political party is committed to ensuring the return of PoK. The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was also seen by India as a step towards integrating the region fully and addressing its development needs.
The current trajectory of India-Pakistan relations indicates a decisive shift towards a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, with India making it clear that any engagement with Pakistan will solely be predicated on addressing the issue of cross-border terrorism and the long-standing claim over Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.