Modi warns Pakistan: Talks with Pak can only be on terror and PoK

In a sharp departure from the recent diplomatic silence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi—in an address to the nation on Monday—said that Operation Sindoor had not been halted, but merely paused. In a strongly-worded address, an assertive Modi warned that India remains vigilant and any attempt by Pakistan to export terrorism across the border will invite a swift and decisive response.

“I thank the victorious Indian armed forces, India's secret service workers, its scientists, I salute them. Our brave soldiers, to accomplish Operation Sindoor, showcased enormous bravery to make it a success,” he said while addressing the nation on Monday evening after DGMO-level talks between India and Pakistan concluded.

PM Modi also pointed out that in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which saw terrorists gun down 26 civilians, launching Operation Sindoor became a necessity, to strike at the heart of terror infrastructure.

“Now all terrorists know that if you remove 'sindoor' from the forehead of our women, you will not be spared. Under Operation Sindoor, we have struck at the heart of terrorism. Brave decisions are taken when the nation stands in unity. When our missiles struck at the heart of Pakistan's terror bases, when our drones attacked them, they were left rattled,” he said.

PM Modi’s remarks come against the backdrop of India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 to target terror infrastructure deep inside the heart of Pakistan. The strike led to increasing hostilities between the two nuclear-powered nations, with Pakistan launching a swarm of drones towards major Indian cities, like Srinagar, Jammu, Barmer in Rajasthan, parts of Punjab, and others.

In response, India retaliated hard by hitting Pakistan’s major airbases, including the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi, almost 10 miles away from the capital, Islamabad.

The hostilities, the worst since the India-Pakistan war of 1971, were suspended on May 9 after Pakistan approached India for a ceasefire.

Mincing no words, PM Modi said in his address that if there are any talks, the agenda will only be terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s (PoK) return to India. “My message to the international community is that if any talks are held with Pakistan, they will only be on terrorism and on PoK,” he said.

Making an oblique reference to the Indus Waters Treaty, PM Modi also mentioned that "blood and water cannot flow together". Moreover, he also said that terror and trade cannot co-exist.

Talking about Operation Sindoor, PM Modi said that Pakistan, instead of helping India uproot terror, chose to attack its neighbour. “Pakistan attacked India’s religious places, India’s schools, and houses. And in so doing, Pakistan has been unmasked. Hiding behind the curtain of nuclear threat, it knows will not work anymore,” PM Modi said.

“But even in this attempt to destabilise us, we showed them they are nothing in front of us, in front of our air defence. India has struck at the heart of Pakistan. Pakistani airbases have been destroyed, the same airbases Pakistan was so proud of,” the prime minister said.