NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated India’s stated policy of zero-tolerance towards terrorism, saying the country has demonstrated through its counter-terrorism operations that terrorist attacks will be met with a strong and decisive response.
Speaking during his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi recalled the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army on September 28-29 in 2016, against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. He described the operation as an important demonstration of a new approach to combating terrorism and said it had conveyed a clear message to the international community about India’s counter-terrorism policy.
Describing the surgical strike as a “defining new move” in India’s response to terrorism, the PM said, “The surgical strike boldly demonstrated to the entire world a new example of India’s counter-terrorism policy.
The ‘surgical strike’ was our decisive response to the long-standing pain India had endured due to terrorist attacks. Over the past decade – from the Balakot airstrike to ‘Operation Sindoor’—India has repeatedly sent a clear message: if terrorists dare to cast an evil eye on India, they will be met with a befitting response.”
The PM also referred to a number of terrorist attacks that took place before 2014, saying India had suffered repeatedly from violence and attacks. He recalled the serial blasts in Delhi on September 13, 2008, in which several people were killed, followed weeks later by the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He contrasted the response to such attacks in the past with what he described as the present government’s zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism.
Referring to public demands for action against Pakistan following terrorist attacks during the past government, Modi said, “But such calls were often not given due attention; time to pass by was simply awaited. Today, India pursues a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, and we’re witnessing the results of that.”
Modi also spoke at length about the ongoing national census, describing it as a collective national responsibility and urging citizens to participate actively in the exercise. He said the first phase of the census was nearing completion, with information relating to more than 32 crore families already recorded.
India will continue to strike terror hubs: Rajnath
India will continue to strike terrorists as long as a neighbouring country sponsors them, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday. “India believes in peace and does not seek to occupy the territory of any country. However, peace should not be mistaken for weakness,” Singh said at a conclave in the national capital.