Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Address on Gujarat’s Urban Growth and India's Security Challenges
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a speech on May 27, 2025, in Gandhinagar, celebrating Gujarat’s Urban Development Year 2025 and reflecting on broader national issues, including India's security concerns.
Historical Context of Terrorism
- 1947 Partition: Modi described the partition as a moment when "Mother India" was divided, initiating prolonged challenges for the nation.
- Kashmir Conflict: He recounted the first assault in Kashmir by mujahideen and criticized the failure to act on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's advice to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- Critique of Past Leadership: Implicit criticism was directed at then-leadership, notably towards Jawaharlal Nehru's decisions during the early conflict years.
Pakistan’s Military Strategy
- Proposal of Proxy Warfare: Modi argued that Pakistan adopted proxy warfare after failing in direct conflicts, supporting terrorism as deliberate state policy.
- Recent Evidence: Referring to Indian strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, he highlighted state honors given to those involved, emphasizing state complicity.
Operation Sindoor
- Doctrine of Action: Modi likened terrorism to a "thorn" that must be removed, promoting Operation Sindoor as both a military and civilian mobilization effort.
- Economic Self-reliance: He urged reducing reliance on imports and promoting local goods as part of this operation.
Vision for Gujarat’s Progress
- Transformation from Salt to Diamonds: He highlighted Gujarat’s evolution from being known for salt production to becoming a global diamond hub.
- Vision for 2035: Modi proposed a vision to continue development across sectors, including potential aspirations to host the Olympics in India.
In his address, Modi stressed the importance of national unity and economic independence as part of India's broader strategy for dealing with internal and external challenges.
