Indian Prime Minister Modi Intensifies Rhetoric Against Pakistan
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with the media inside the parliament premises in New Delhi, India, January 31, 2023. — Reuters
- Operation Sindoor framed as a national mission by Indian PM.
- India claims to uphold global peace, despite aggressive posturing.
- Pakistan condemns India’s “hate-driven” war narrative.
KARACHI: On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi heightened his rhetoric against Pakistan, asserting that what were once seen as proxy wars are now a "deliberate strategy" devised by Islamabad. He warned of an "appropriate response" from India if confronted with acts of aggression, as reported by The News.
During a ceremony in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Modi embraced a nationalist viewpoint steeped in historical grievances, promising a strong reaction to what he characterized as premeditated actions from across the border.
“This cannot merely be labeled a proxy war; those who were killed after May 6 received state honors in Pakistan, with their coffins draped in Pakistani flags, and they were saluted by their military. This indicates that these terrorist actions are not simply proxy wars but rather a carefully orchestrated war strategy,” Modi stated.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Modi claimed that nine terrorist bases were destroyed in just 22 minutes, with full video documentation available.
Modi connected the current hostilities with the historical context of the Partition, remarking, “During the Partition, our motherland was divided, and the first terror attack on Kashmir was initiated by militants that very night. Had they been eliminated then, we could have avoided these 75 years of suffering.”
He lamented that the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to “reclaim” Azad Kashmir had not been realized, ominously stating, “No matter how strong a body is, even a single thorn can cause constant pain—and we’ve determined that this thorn must be extracted.”
In recounting India’s military history with Pakistan, Modi asserted, “Whenever our armies faced Pakistan in battle, the Indian Armed Forces prevailed in a manner they could never forget. Realizing their inability to win a conventional war, they pivoted to proxy warfare, providing support and training to terrorist groups instead.”
Despite his combative language, Modi also proclaimed India’s commitment to “global well-being,” claiming that “India has always championed peace and stability.”
He discussed water resource challenges related to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and the Indus Waters Treaty, suggesting it had been neglected by previous governments in terms of dam upkeep and water infrastructure.
Modi presented Operation Sindoor not only as a military operation but as a shared obligation for all Indian citizens. He also highlighted India’s ascent, stating it is now the world’s fourth largest economy.
In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong condemnation of Modi’s remarks, labeling them a “hate-driven call to violence” that sets a “dangerous precedent in an already volatile region.”
The Foreign Office asserted that the speech represented “reckless provocation” aimed at diverting attention from ongoing human rights violations and demographic changes in IIOJK. “The international community must take heed of India’s escalating rhetoric,” the statement concluded.
