PM Modi addresses the nation, says war paused but fight against terrorism continues

In a forceful national address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence following a tense military confrontation with Pakistan, declaring that India has ‘only paused’ its operations and vowing firm retaliation in response to any future acts of terror.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation for the first time after Operation Sindoor. The remarks came just days after both nations stepped back from the brink of a potential fifth war, following a fierce exchange of missile strikes and artillery fire across the Line of Control and international border. “This is not an era of war, but this is not an era of terrorism, either,” Modi said during his televised address from New Delhi. He emphasised that India will not distinguish between “Governments that support terrorism and terrorist groups,” asserting that the country’s response to any provocation will come “on its own terms.”

India launched Operation Sindoor — a bold and coordinated tri-service military operation aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The offensive was a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22nd, 2025, in which 26 civilians were killed.

The attack is attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The conflict, which flared up on May 6, following Indian missile strikes targeting   terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan — administered Kashmir, resulted in the deaths of at least 60 civilians across both sides, according to partial tallies. Indian army hit nine terrorist dens in POK and Pakistan.  The attacks were India’s response to an April 22 assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 tourists were killed — a strike which has its roots in Islamabad-supported militants, a charge Pakistan denies. However all indications point the finger at Pakistan’s involvement.

While a ceasefire was brokered with assistance from the United States, with President Donald Trump claiming his administration helped avert “a nuclear conflict,” Modi’s speech signalled no softening of India’s stance — instead, it was a clear message of vigilance and readiness. Modi strongly criticised Pakistan for what he described as choosing to “attack” rather than combat terrorism. He warned that every step of Pakistan would be monitored, emphasising that India would no longer tolerate what he referred to as “nuclear blackmail.”

In his address, the Prime Minister also drew attention to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — a long-standing water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank. “Terror and trade cannot go together, water and blood cannot flow together,” Modi declared, hinting that strategic leverage over water may be part of India’s new approach.

Despite the ceasefire, military leaders in both countries remain on alert. Talks between top Indian and Pakistani military commanders were postponed but expected to resume shortly, with analysts noting their primary objective will be to establish technical safeguards and avoid future escalations.

India’s Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, DGMO of the Indian Army, has stressed that “any threat to sovereignty and safety will be met with decisive force.” Meanwhile, airports previously shut down during the height of hostilities have reopened, and reports from Kashmir suggest a tense calm has returned — at least temporarily.

While the guns may have temporarily fallen silent, the geopolitical climate remains volatile. Both sides remain on high alert and one wrong move on either side could break the fragile ceasefire. In fact one spark could quickly lead to a nuclear catastrophe as both the countries have sizable nuclear arsenals. In this situaiton need for measured dialogue and clear communication is a must and should be the top priority.

As the international community watches closely, Modi’s address has made one thing clear: India’s patience has limits, and while war has been averted — for now — the path to lasting peace remains fraught. It is a matter of immense relief that a full-scale war has been averted between two nuclear-armed neighbours. However, India cannot afford to mistake this ceasefire for resolution. The real challenge now lies not in military might, but in strategy and diplomacy. New Delhi must focus its energy on exposing Pakistan’s long-standing support for non-state actors and its role in exporting terror across the border.

Military deterrence alone is not enough. India’s best bet is to build and sustain international pressure — mobilising global opinion, engaging allies, and leveraging diplomatic channels — to isolate Pakistan on the world stage until it is forced to dismantle the networks that breed violence. Only through relentless diplomatic engagement and a unified global stance against terrorism can peace in the region become more than just a pause between battles.