India's Policy on Terrorism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a national address, articulated India's firm stance against terrorism, specifically highlighting the significance of Operation Sindoor as a policy benchmark.
Key Elements of the Policy
- Fitting Response to Terrorism:
- India vows a strong retaliation against any terrorist attack on its soil.
- Example: In response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), killing about 100 terrorists.
- Rejection of Nuclear Blackmail:
- India will not succumb to the threat of nuclear escalation by Pakistan.
- Global concern exists over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons potentially falling into the wrong hands due to its fragile polity and state-terrorist nexus.
- No Distinction between State and Terrorists:
- India equates the Pakistani state with the terrorists it harbors.
- Evidence: Pakistani army officers attended funeral prayers for terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor, showcasing the state's proximity to terrorism.
Additional Aspects of the Policy
- India's armed forces demonstrated their capability by damaging Pakistan's defense infrastructure, particularly the air force.
- India showed its air defense capabilities and the capacity to strike deep within Pakistan.
- Despite a pause in operations after Pakistan proposed ceasing terrorist activities, India remains vigilant and will evaluate Pakistan's actions closely.
India-Pakistan Relations
The future relations between India and Pakistan depend on Pakistan's actions. The Prime Minister emphasized that "terror and talks cannot go together" and urged Pakistan to abandon terrorism, which has brought nothing but misery to its people over the decades.
