New Delhi: In a powerful address delivered in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on May 27, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a firm stand against Pakistan, accusing it of orchestrating terrorism as a deliberate war strategy against India. Speaking at an event marking the 20th anniversary of Gujarat’s Urban Growth Story, PM Modi redefined Pakistan’s use of proxy war, stating it is no longer merely a covert strategy but a direct assault on India’s sovereignty. This statement came in the wake of India’s decisive Operation Sindoor, a targeted airstrike conducted on May 7-8, 2025, which destroyed multiple terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was a retaliation for the brutal Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 innocent lives.
PM Modi’s Strong Message: Proxy War is Pakistan’s War Strategy
During his two-day visit to Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi addressed a public gathering in Gandhinagar, where he lambasted Pakistan for its role in cross-border terrorism. “We want to stay in peace, and let others live in peace. But when our strength is challenged through proxy war, we can’t stay silent,” he declared. He emphasized that the events following May 6, 2025, have led India to reframe Pakistan’s actions. “Earlier, we used to call it a proxy war. However, after the scenes we witnessed after May 6, we no more call it a proxy war,” Modi said, pointing to the state honors given to terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor. “The terrorists who were killed were given state honors in Pakistan. Pakistani flags were draped over their coffins, and their military saluted them. This proves that these terrorist activities are not just a proxy war. This is a deliberate war strategy on their part.”
Modi’s remarks signal a significant shift in India’s policy of deterrence. By equating Pakistan’s proxy war with a direct act of war, India has adopted a new three-pillared security doctrine that treats such warfare as a direct threat. This doctrine underscores India’s resolve to respond decisively to any challenge to its sovereignty, whether through conventional or unconventional means.
Operation Sindoor: A Decisive Strike Against Terrorism
On the intervening night of May 7 and 8, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a meticulously planned airstrike targeting terror bases in Pakistan and PoK. The operation was a direct response to the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 innocent visitors were killed. Survivors of the attack reported that the terrorists interrogated victims about their religious beliefs, demanding they recite an Islamic Kalma to prove their faith before executing those who identified as non-Muslims.
In his speech, PM Modi highlighted the precision and transparency of Operation Sindoor. “We razed nine terror bases in 22 minutes. Aur is baar camera ke samne kiya, sari vyavastha rakhi thi, taki hamare ghar mein koi saboot na mange,” he said, taking a swipe at opposition parties that had previously questioned the evidence behind the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The Indian armed forces released footage and before-after images of the targets, leaving no room for speculation. Over 100 militants seeking refuge in Pakistan were eliminated in the operation, which Modi described as a symbol of India’s resolve to combat terrorism.
The Prime Minister also referenced the operation in his Mann Ki Baat address, calling it a testament to India’s unwavering commitment to national security. He humorously noted that Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan airbase was left “in ICU” after India’s strike, underscoring the operation’s success in dismantling terror infrastructure.
The Historical Context: 75 Years of Terrorism
PM Modi traced the roots of Pakistan’s terrorism against India back to the Partition in 1947. “When India became independent in 1947, chains must have been cut, but arms were severed,” he said, referring to the division of the country into three parts. He recounted how, on the night of Independence, Pakistan launched its first terrorist attack on Kashmir, capturing a part of Indian territory with the help of so-called mujahideen. Modi indirectly criticized India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, stating that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had advocated for the Indian Army to reclaim PoK, but his advice was ignored. “If that day, these mujahideens were killed… the current situation would not have arisen,” Modi remarked.
For 75 years, India has faced a series of terrorist attacks orchestrated by Pakistan, from the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir to the recent Pahalgam attack. Modi noted that Pakistan, realizing it could not defeat India in conventional warfare after losing three wars, resorted to proxy warfare. “Terrorists with military training are sent to India. Unarmed innocents, someone traveling on a bus, someone in a hotel, someone a tourist—wherever they got an opportunity, they kept killing, and we kept tolerating. Should we tolerate anymore?” he asked, as the audience responded with a resounding “no.”
What is a Proxy War?
A proxy war, as outlined in the document, is a conflict where states avoid direct involvement but support non-state actors such as militants or spies to destabilize their adversaries. It is a subset of hybrid warfare, which combines conventional military tactics with unconventional methods like cyber warfare, disinformation, and terrorism. Pakistan’s proxy war against India involves funding, training, and arming militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to fuel insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. The document highlights several tools used in proxy warfare, including military aid, economic assistance, intelligence sharing, and non-kinetic measures like disinformation campaigns through social media influencers and sleeper cells.
The impact of proxy warfare on India has been profound:
- Challenge to Sovereignty: Pakistan’s support for insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir threatens India’s territorial integrity.
- Violence and Loss of Life: The document notes China’s indirect backing of militant groups in India’s Northeastern states, alongside Pakistan’s actions, leading to significant civilian and military casualties.
- Economic Burden: Increased spending on security and strained social infrastructure have placed a heavy financial burden on India.
Pakistan’s motivations for engaging in proxy warfare include plausible deniability to evade international consequences, strategic depth to influence events remotely, and cost avoidance by minimizing its own casualties while escalating India’s war costs through strategies like the “thousand cuts” doctrine.
India’s Robust Response: A New Security Doctrine
To counter Pakistan’s evolving tactics, India has introduced a new three-pillared security doctrine that treats proxy warfare as a direct act of war. This marks a paradigm shift in India’s approach to national security. Key measures include:
- Modernizing Border Management: India has implemented the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) along the Line of Control (LoC), incorporating smart fencing, thermal imaging, and motion sensors to prevent infiltration.
- Strengthening Cybersecurity: Agencies like the Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-in) and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) are bolstering India’s defenses against cyber threats, which are often used in hybrid warfare.
- International Diplomacy: India has leveraged platforms like the UNSC’s 1267 Committee to impose sanctions on Pakistan-based terrorists, increasing global pressure on Pakistan to curb its support for terrorism.
A Swipe at the Opposition: The “Proof” Dig
PM Modi used his speech to take a dig at opposition parties, particularly Congress, for questioning the authenticity of previous military operations like the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. “We did everything on camera this time, we had made preparations, so that no one at home asks for proof,” he quipped. The release of footage and images from Operation Sindoor was a deliberate move to silence skeptics and reinforce public confidence in the government’s actions.
Pakistan’s Role Exposed: State Honors for Terrorists
Modi highlighted Pakistan’s complicity in terrorism by pointing to the state honors given to terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor. “The funerals of terrorists in Pakistan were conducted with state honours, their coffins were wrapped in Pakistani flags, while the country’s army gave them a salute,” he said. This, he argued, is irrefutable evidence that Pakistan’s support for terrorism is not a covert proxy war but a deliberate war strategy. “You are already at war, and you will receive the response accordingly,” Modi warned.
India’s Commitment to Peace and Strength
Despite its strong stance against terrorism, PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to peace, rooted in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). “We want our neighbors to live in peace, and we want them to let us live in peace. But when we are repeatedly challenged, this is also a country of the brave,” he said. Modi emphasized that India’s actions are driven by a desire to protect its citizens and contribute to global welfare, but it will not hesitate to respond to threats with full force.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in India’s Fight Against Terrorism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address in Gandhinagar marks a turning point in India’s approach to countering Pakistan’s terrorism. By redefining proxy warfare as a direct act of war, India has signaled its readiness to take decisive action against any threat to its sovereignty. Operation Sindoor stands as a testament to India’s military prowess and its commitment to transparency, with recorded evidence silencing doubters. As India strengthens its border management, cybersecurity, and international diplomacy, it is clear that the nation will no longer tolerate terrorism in any form. With a new security doctrine and a resolute leadership, India is poised to confront Pakistan’s war strategy head-on, ensuring the safety and security of its people.
FAQs
1. What is Operation Sindoor, and why was it launched?
Answer: Operation Sindoor was a targeted airstrike conducted by India on May 7-8, 2025, against terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). It was launched in retaliation for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 innocent tourists were killed by terrorists who interrogated victims about their religious beliefs. The operation destroyed nine terror camps in 22 minutes, eliminating over 100 militants, and was recorded on camera to provide transparent evidence of India’s actions, as emphasized by PM Modi.
2. How has PM Modi redefined Pakistan’s proxy war?
Answer: PM Narendra Modi, in his May 27, 2025, speech in Gandhinagar, declared that Pakistan’s use of terrorism, previously labeled as a proxy war, is now a direct war strategy against India. He cited evidence from the funerals of terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor, where Pakistan gave them state honors, draped their coffins in national flags, and had its military salute them. This, Modi argued, shows Pakistan’s overt involvement, prompting India to treat such actions as direct aggression under a new three-pillared security doctrine.
3. What is a proxy war, and how has Pakistan used it against India?
Answer: A proxy war is a conflict where a state supports non-state actors, like militants or spies, to attack another nation without direct involvement. Pakistan has employed this strategy against India by funding, training, and arming groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to fuel insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. This has led to sovereignty challenges, civilian and military casualties, and economic burdens due to increased security spending. Pakistan’s tactics include military aid, intelligence sharing, and disinformation campaigns, often using sleeper cells and social media influencers.
4. What measures has India taken to counter Pakistan’s terrorism?
Answer: India has adopted a robust response to Pakistan’s terrorism, including a new three-pillared security doctrine that treats proxy warfare as a direct war. Key measures include modernizing border management with the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), featuring smart fencing and thermal imaging along the Line of Control (LoC). India is also strengthening cybersecurity through agencies like Cert-in and NTRO and leveraging international platforms like the UNSC’s 1267 Committee to sanction Pakistan-based terrorists, aiming to curb cross-border threats.
5. Why did PM Modi criticize the opposition during his speech?
Answer: In his Gandhinagar address, PM Modi took a swipe at opposition parties, particularly Congress, for previously questioning the evidence behind the 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrikes. To counter such skepticism, he highlighted that Operation Sindoor was recorded on camera, with footage and before-after images released to ensure transparency. Modi’s remark, “We did everything on camera this time, so that no one at home asks for proof,” aimed to silence doubters and reinforce public trust in India’s military actions.
