Modi escalates war rhetoric, Pakistan condemns anti-peace narrative

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified hostile rhetoric against Pakistan on Tuesday, calling recent events part of a deliberate war strategy rather than proxy warfare, and warning of a forceful response if India perceives further aggression. Addressing a gathering in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Modi framed Operation Sindoor as a national mission and accused Pakistan of openly supporting militant activities.

Modi claimed that Pakistani state honours for militants killed after May 6 proved direct state involvement, stating, “This is not a proxy war; this is a deliberate strategy.” He said Indian forces destroyed nine alleged terrorist bases in 22 minutes during Operation Sindoor, which was fully recorded. Linking the present conflict to Partition history, Modi said unresolved issues from 1947 had prolonged suffering, and ominously referred to Pakistan as a “thorn” that needed removal.

The Indian premier reiterated that past wars proved Pakistan could not defeat India militarily, leading it to support terrorism instead. While making these aggressive claims, he also claimed that India advocates global peace and stability. He criticised previous Indian governments for neglecting water infrastructure and declared the Indus Waters Treaty “put in abeyance,” questioning continued cooperation with Pakistan over shared water resources.

He portrayed Operation Sindoor as a patriotic duty for all Indians, not just the armed forces. Modi also spoke of India’s economic rise, positioning the country as the world’s fourth-largest economy, and emphasised national unity in defending against perceived threats from Pakistan.

In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong condemnation of Modi’s statements, calling them a “hate-driven invocation of violence.” The Foreign Office said such remarks were a reckless provocation, designed to distract from human rights violations and demographic changes in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).

Islamabad warned that Modi’s comments set a dangerous precedent in an already volatile region. The Foreign Office urged the international community to take note of India’s increasingly hostile rhetoric, which it said undermines peace and stability in South Asia.