By A Correspondent

New Delhi: India‘s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 12, 2025, warned Pakistan of a nuclear catastrophe, referencing the 1974 and 1998 Indian nuclear weapons tests, albeit in a veiled threat, by talking of Gautama Buddha‘s birth anniversary today and Shakti (Power) in the same breath.

India’s first-ever “peaceful” nuclear explosions by India were codenamed ‘Smiling Buddha‘ and the 1998 nuclear weapons’ tests ‘Operation Shakti.’ After the 1998 tests, India’s then-Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had declared India a nuclear-armed state.

This was the first time in global history that a nuclear-armed state (India) has hit deep inside another nuclear-armed state (Pakistan) through coordinated, precise military strikes, both on terror infrastructure and on defence installations. Operation Sindoor was carried out between May 7, 2025, and May 10, 2025, in response to the Apr. 22, 2025, terror strike on civilians at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir that resulted in the death of 26 innocent civlians.

Post the confirmation of a ceasefire by the Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan earlier in the day on May 12, 2025, Modi addressed the nation via videoconference.

In his address, Modi said India has witnessed both its strength and restraint in recent days. He extended his salute to the country’s formidable armed forces, intelligence agencies, and scientists on behalf of every Indian citizen.

The Prime Minister highlighted the unwavering courage displayed by India’s brave soldiers in achieving the objectives of Operation Sindoor, acknowledging their valour, resilience, and indomitable spirit. He dedicated this unparalleled bravery to every mother, sister, and daughter of the nation.

Condemning strongly the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Apr. 22, 2025, stating that it shocked both the nation and the world, Modi described the act as a gruesome display of terror, where innocent civilians enjoying their holidays were brutally killed after being questioned about their faith—right in front of their families and children.

He stressed that this was not just an act of cruelty but also a vile attempt to fracture the nation’s harmony. Expressing his deep personal anguish over the attack, he highlighted how the entire nation—every citizen, every community, every section of society, and every political party—stood united in demanding strong action against terrorism.

He asserted that the government had given the armed forces full freedom to eliminate the terrorists. He warned all terrorist organisations, declaring that they now fully understand the consequences of attempting to harm the dignity of the nation’s women.

“Operation Sindoor is not just a name but a reflection of the emotions of millions of Indians,” emphasised the Prime Minister, describing it as an unwavering pledge to justice, one that the world witnessed being fulfilled on May 6-7, 2025.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the Indian armed forces executed precision strikes on terrorist hideouts and training centres in Pakistan, delivering a decisive blow. He remarked that the terrorists never imagined India would make such a bold move, but “when the nation stands united with Nation First as its guiding principle, firm decisions are taken and impactful results are delivered.”

He stated that India’s missile and drone strikes on terrorist hubs in Pakistan shattered not only their infrastructure but also their morale. The Prime Minister pointed out that locations like Bahawalpur and Muridke had long operated as centres of global terrorism, linking them to major attacks worldwide, including the 9/11 attacks in the United States, the London Tube bombings, and decades of terrorist incidents in India.

He declared that since terrorists had dared to destroy the dignity of Indian women, India had eliminated the headquarters of terror. The operation resulted in the elimination of over 100 dangerous terrorists, including key figures who had openly plotted against India for decades, he added, affirming that those who orchestrated threats against India had been swiftly neutralised.

Modi stated that India’s precise and forceful strikes had left Pakistan in deep frustration, pushing it into desperation. In its agitation, Pakistan resorted to a reckless act instead of joining the global fight against terrorism—it launched attacks on Indian schools, colleges, gurudwaras, temples, and civilian homes, also targeting military bases, he added.

Modi highlighted how this aggression exposed Pakistan’s vulnerabilities, as its drones and missiles crumbled like straw before India’s advanced air defence systems, which neutralised them in the sky. He remarked that while Pakistan had prepared to strike India’s borders, India delivered a decisive blow to Pakistan’s core.

Indian drones and missiles executed highly accurate strikes, severely damaging Pakistani airbases that it had long boasted about. Within the first three days of India’s response, Pakistan suffered destruction far beyond its expectations.

Following India’s aggressive countermeasures, Pakistan began seeking ways to de-escalate, appealing to the global community for relief from rising tensions. He revealed that, after suffering severe losses, Pakistan’s military reached out to India’s DGMO on the afternoon of May 10, 2025.

By then, India had already dismantled large-scale terrorist infrastructure, eliminated key militants, and reduced Pakistan’s terror hubs to ruins. Modi noted that Pakistan, in its appeal, assured that it would cease all terrorist activities and military aggression against India.

In light of this statement, India reviewed the situation and decided to “temporarily suspend” its counter-operations against Pakistan’s terrorist and military installations. He reiterated that this suspension is not a conclusion—India will continue to assess Pakistan’s every move in the coming days, ensuring that its future actions align with its commitments.

The Prime Minister emphasized that India’s armed forces—the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Border Security Force (BSF), and paramilitary units—remain on high alert, ensuring national security at all times. “Operation Sindoor is now India’s established policy in the fight against terrorism, marking a decisive shift in India’s strategic approach”, he declared, stating that the operation has set a new standard, a new normal in counter-terrorism measures.

The Prime Minister outlined three key pillars of India’s security doctrine: firstly, the Decisive Retaliation, when any terrorist attack on India will be met with a strong and resolute response. India will retaliate on its terms, targeting terror hubs at their roots.

The second is ‘No Tolerance for Nuclear Blackmail.‘ India will not be intimidated by nuclear threats. Any terrorist haven operating under this pretext will face precise and decisive strikes. The third pillar being ‘No Distinction Between Terror Sponsors and Terrorists,’ India will no longer see terrorist leaders and the governments sheltering them as separate entities.

He pointed out that during Operation Sindoor, the world once again witnessed Pakistan’s disturbing reality—senior Pakistani military officials openly attending funerals of eliminated terrorists, proving Pakistan’s deep involvement in state-sponsored terrorism. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that India will continue taking decisive steps to safeguard its citizens against any threat.

Asserting that India has consistently defeated Pakistan on the battlefield, and Operation Sindoor has added a new dimension to the nation’s military prowess, Modi highlighted India’s remarkable capability in both desert and mountainous warfare while also establishing superiority in New Age Warfare.

He emphasized that during the operation, the effectiveness of ‘Made in India‘ defence equipment was decisively proven. He remarked that the world is now witnessing the arrival of Made in India defense systems as a formidable force in 21st-century warfare.

Underscoring that unity is India’s greatest strength in the fight against all forms of terrorism, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that while this era is not one of war, it cannot be one of terrorism either. “Zero Tolerance against terrorism is the guarantee of a better and safer world”, he declared.

Modi asserted that Pakistan’s military and government have continuously nurtured terrorism, warning that such actions will eventually lead to Pakistan’s 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. Addressing the global community, he reiterated India’s long-standing policy that any discussions with Pakistan will focus solely on terrorism and any negotiations with Pakistan will center around Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

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. He underscored that humanity must progress towards peace and prosperity, ensuring that every Indian can live with dignity and realize the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat‘ (Developed India).

The Prime Minister asserted that for India to uphold peace, it must be strong, and when necessary, that strength must be exercised. He stated that recent events have demonstrated India’s resolve in safeguarding its principles. Concluding his address, he once again saluted the valor of the Indian armed forces and expressed his deep respect for the courage and unity of the people of India.

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