A stern warning to Pakistan of massive retaliation if it sponsors terrorism against India, strong steps against naxalism and those conspiring to change the demography of the country by allowing infiltrators to cross the border, an appeal to all parties to join the efforts at building a developed India and a reach out to Sangh fountainhead RSS for its contribution to the nation marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech on Friday.
While lauding the role of indigenous weapons and defence systems for the success of Operation Sindoor, the prime minister minced no words in sending across the message to Pakistan that not just terrorists but those sponsoring, abetting and training them will be meted out treatment far worse than they can imagine.
"On 22nd April, terrorists crossed the border and committed a massacre in Pahalgam, killing people after asking their religion, shooting husbands in front of their wives, and executing fathers in front of their children. The entire nation was filled with outrage, and the whole world was shocked by such a massacre... Operation Sindoor was the expression of that outrage," Modi said.
He praised the Indian defence forces for their action and insisted that the military had been given a free hand in formulating its strategy, choosing targets and the time of action.
"Penetrating hundreds of kilometres into enemy territory, they reduced terrorist headquarters to rubble and turned terrorist headquarters into ruins. Pakistan is still not able to sleep. The devastation in Pakistan has been so huge that every day brings new revelations and fresh information," he said.
"Those who nurture and harbour terrorism, and those who empower terrorists, will no longer be seen as separate. They are all equal enemies of humanity, with no distinction between them. Bharat has now decided that we will no longer tolerate these nuclear threats. The nuclear blackmail that has gone on for so long will no longer be endured. If our enemies continue this attempt in the future, our defence forces will decide on its own terms, at the time of its choosing, in the manner it deems fit, and target the objectives it selects, and we will act accordingly. We will give a fitting and crushing response," Modi said.
He reiterated the stand on the Indus Waters Treaty, saying blood and water cannot flow together. India's waters were irrigating parts of Pakistan till this treaty was put in abeyance, he added.
The Prime Minister spoke about internal security as well, saying that 125 districts were in the grip of naxalism 11 years ago but today the number has been reduced to 20 districts.
Expressing his concern over a "deliberate conspiracy" to change the demography of the country through infiltration, Modi said, "Seeds of a new crisis are being sown."
He announced the launch of a High-Power Demography Mission through which this crisis will be addressed.
While lauding the role of indigenous weapons and defence systems for the success of Operation Sindoor, the prime minister minced no words in sending across the message to Pakistan that not just terrorists but those sponsoring, abetting and training them will be meted out treatment far worse than they can imagine.
"On 22nd April, terrorists crossed the border and committed a massacre in Pahalgam, killing people after asking their religion, shooting husbands in front of their wives, and executing fathers in front of their children. The entire nation was filled with outrage, and the whole world was shocked by such a massacre... Operation Sindoor was the expression of that outrage," Modi said.
He praised the Indian defence forces for their action and insisted that the military had been given a free hand in formulating its strategy, choosing targets and the time of action.
"Penetrating hundreds of kilometres into enemy territory, they reduced terrorist headquarters to rubble and turned terrorist headquarters into ruins. Pakistan is still not able to sleep. The devastation in Pakistan has been so huge that every day brings new revelations and fresh information," he said.
"Those who nurture and harbour terrorism, and those who empower terrorists, will no longer be seen as separate. They are all equal enemies of humanity, with no distinction between them. Bharat has now decided that we will no longer tolerate these nuclear threats. The nuclear blackmail that has gone on for so long will no longer be endured. If our enemies continue this attempt in the future, our defence forces will decide on its own terms, at the time of its choosing, in the manner it deems fit, and target the objectives it selects, and we will act accordingly. We will give a fitting and crushing response," Modi said.
He reiterated the stand on the Indus Waters Treaty, saying blood and water cannot flow together. India's waters were irrigating parts of Pakistan till this treaty was put in abeyance, he added.
The Prime Minister spoke about internal security as well, saying that 125 districts were in the grip of naxalism 11 years ago but today the number has been reduced to 20 districts.
Expressing his concern over a "deliberate conspiracy" to change the demography of the country through infiltration, Modi said, "Seeds of a new crisis are being sown."
He announced the launch of a High-Power Demography Mission through which this crisis will be addressed.
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