New Delhi, May 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted that his government has a zero tolerance policy toward terrorism and insurgency.
“Peace and law, and order are the most crucial factors for any region’s development. Our government has a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and insurgency,” he said.
He said Northeast was once associated with blockades and conflict, which severely impacted opportunities for its youth. Over the past 10-11 years, more than 10,000 young individuals have abandoned arms to embrace peace. This shift has unlocked new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities within the region,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi was speaking during the inauguration of the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today. Extending a warm welcome to all the dignitaries to the event, the Prime Minister expressed pride, warmth, and immense confidence in the future of the North East region.
PM’s statement comes a day after he asserted that the country’s enemies have learnt what happens when ‘sindoor’ becomes gunpowder and lauded India’s armed forces for creating such a trap that Pakistan was brought down to its knees.
In his first public address in Rajasthan after Operation Sindoor, which was launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, the prime minister slammed Pakistan and said in response to the attack on April 22, “We destroyed nine biggest terror hideouts in 22 minutes”.
“The world and the enemies of the country have seen what happens when sindoor turns into ‘barood’ (gunpowder),” he said.
He said India is not going to be scared by nuclear threats, and if there is a terrorist attack on the country, then it will give a befitting reply.
“The time and methods will be decided by our armed forces,” he said, addressing a public meeting in Palana in Bikaner.
“Our government gave free hand to all three armed forces. Together they created such a trap that Pakistan was forced to go down on its knees,” he said.
Noting that Pakistan had tried to target the Nal air base in Bikaner but could not cause any damage to it, he said, “But, no one knows when Pakistan’s Rahimyar Khan air base will open again. It is in ICU. The attack has destroyed it”.
“Pakistan can never win a direct fight against India. Whenever there is a direct flight, Pakistan has to face defeat again and again. That is why Pakistan has made terrorism a weapon to fight against India,” he said.
Emphasizing that Operation Sindoor was not an act of revenge, but a new form of justice, he remarked that it was not just an expression of outrage but a display of India’s unwavering strength and determination. He asserted that the nation has adopted a bold approach, striking the enemy directly and decisively. “Crushing terrorism is not just a strategy but a principle, this is India, this is the new India”, stressed Modi.
Outlining the three key principles established through Operation Sindoor in India’s fight against terrorism, the Prime Minister stated the first principle – any terrorist attack on India would be met with a decisive response, with the timing, method, and terms determined solely by India’s armed forces. Second, he asserted that India would not be intimidated by nuclear threats. Third, he emphasized that India would no longer differentiate between terrorist masterminds and the governments that support them, rejecting Pakistan’s distinction between state and non-state actors. Highlighting ongoing global efforts to expose Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism, seven distinct groups, comprising leaders from various political parties and foreign policy experts, are actively working to present Pakistan’s true face to the world, he added.