PM Modi defends Operation Sindoor, highlights India’s assertive military response

In a strong rebuttal to criticism over the handling of Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Parliament, asserting that India’s armed forces had full operational autonomy and executed a decisive response to cross-border terrorism.

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Refuting allegations of restricted military manoeuvrability, PM Modi emphasized that after the April 22 terror attack, his government granted the armed forces complete freedom in planning and executing retaliatory action. He detailed how the Indian military struck with precision on the night of May 6-7, neutralizing terror hubs across Pakistan in a swift 22-minute operation.

The Prime Minister underscored a strategic shift in India’s military doctrine, noting that for the first time, terror headquarters deep inside Pakistan were eliminated including three key militants, including airbases that remain severely damaged. He stated that Pakistan's nuclear threats failed to deter India's resolve, marking a new phase in the country’s counterterrorism approach.

Modi expressed concern over domestic political reactions, accusing opposition leaders of spreading narratives aligned with Pakistani propaganda and undermining the morale of Indian forces. He lamented the lack of national unity in supporting the military and stressed that only a few countries backed Pakistan, while global sentiment favoured India’s stance.

Describing Operation Sindoor as a turning point, Modi claimed it redefined India's defense posture. He concluded by warning terror masterminds that India has set a “new normal” in retaliatory strategy, reinforcing that future attacks would be met with uncompromising force.