'Terror & trade can't go together, like water & blood can't flow together': Top quotes from PM Modi's address to nation
PM Modi's Operation Sindoor Nation Address: In his first address to the nation since the launch of Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern message to Pakistan, declaring that “terror and talks can’t go hand in hand,” and asserting that India will not tolerate any form of "nuclear blackmail".
Calling Operation Sindoor a reflection of public sentiment and a turning point in India’s counterterrorism doctrine, Modi said over 100 terrorists were eliminated in deep strikes across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Emphasising that India’s military operations have only been paused—not stopped—he warned that future action would depend on Pakistan’s behaviour. “A new line has been drawn,” he said, adding that Pakistan had pleaded for a halt after promising to rein in terror activities.
Calling the Pahalgam massacre “a personal pain, Modi saluted the armed forces and stated: “Their buildings were destroyed, but so was their spirit.” Quoting Lord Buddha on Buddha Purnima, the Prime Minister said, “Shaanti ka maarg bhi Shakti se hokar jaata hai (Even the path of peace goes through strength).”
In the early hours of May 7, India carried out Operation Sindoor—a swift and strategic military retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, most of them tourists. The operation, featuring precision strikes deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), signalled a decisive shift in India’s counterterrorism strategy.
Here are top quotes from Prime Minister Modi's address to the nation:
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'Pahalgam attack most barbaric face of terrorism'
“The terrorists removed the sindoor of our sisters. That’s why India annihilated the terror headquarters,” PM Modi said. Calling the Pahalgam attack the “most barbaric face of terrorism”, the PM said more than 100 dreaded terrorists were “slaughtered” in India’s operation. “It was not just their buildings, but their spirit that was demolished,” he added.
'Terror and talks cannot go hand in hand'
PM Modi said Operation Sindoor now represents India’s new counterterrorism policy. “Operation Sindoor is not just a name—it is the reflection of people’s sentiments,” he noted. “Terror and talks cannot go hand in hand, terror and trade cannot go hand in hand, water and blood cannot flow together.”
'Pak pleaded to India to stop strikes'
PM Modi revealed that Pakistan pleaded with India to stop the strikes only after its airbases and terror camps were hit. “We have only kept our operations in abeyance. The future will depend on their behaviour,” he warned.
He accused Pakistan of supporting terror networks, saying: “The world has seen the dirty truth of Pakistan when their senior officers bid farewell to slain terrorists. There cannot be a bigger proof of state-sponsored terrorism.”
'Bhawalpur and Muridke: Universities of global terrorism'
Appreciating the armed forces, Modi said, “Our missiles and drones struck with such precision that Pakistan’s air bases were destroyed. Their courage collapsed with their structures.” He added that major hubs like Bhawalpur and Muridke—“universities of global terrorism”—were targeted and wiped out.
'India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail'
Sending a clear warning, the PM said, “India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. There will be no distinction between a government that shelters terror and the terrorist organisations themselves.”
'Instead of supporting our efforts against terrorism, Pak targeted schools, temples'
PM Modi said the strikes had sent a strong message across the world. “Instead of supporting our efforts against terrorism, Pakistan targeted schools, gurudwaras, temples and military zones. But their missiles were intercepted mid-air. In three days, India hit them in a way they never imagined.”
'Operation Sindoor proves our supremacy in new-age warfare’
PM Modi said that after the surgical strikes and airstrikes, Operation Sindoor has proven India’s supremacy in new-age warfare, adding that the army, navy, air force, BSF and all other forces remain on high alert.
"Our Army, Navy, Air Force, BSF, and all other forces remain on alert. After the surgical strikes and airstrikes, Operation Sindoor has now proved our supremacy in new-age warfare," said PM Modi.
'Pak prepared for war at border, India struck its heart'
"Pakistan was preparing for a war at the border, but India struck at the very heart of Pakistan," PM Modi said in his address to nation.
'Talks With Pakistan, only on terrorism or PoK'
PM Modi said, “If there are talks with Pakistan, they will be on terrorism… If there are talks with Pakistan, they will be on PoK.”
‘This isn’t era of war—or terrorism’
PM Modi said, ''Our greatest strength is our unity against all forms of terrorism. This is certainly not the era of war but this is also not the era of terrorism. Zero tolerance against terrorism is the guarantee for a better world. "
‘Terror camps in Pakistan heartland destroyed
"And after suffering heavy losses, Pakistan's army contacted our DGMO on the afternoon of 10th May. By then we had destroyed the infrastructure of terrorism on a large scale. The terrorists were eliminated. We had destroyed the terror camps established in the heart of Pakistan," PM Modi said.
'More than 100 terrorists killed in one stroke'
While addressing the nation, PM Modi said, “More than 100 dreaded terrorists have been killed in these attacks by India. For the last two and a half to three decades, many terrorist leaders had been roaming freely in Pakistan, conspiring against India. India eliminated them in one stroke.”
'The path of peace also passes through strength'
He concluded by saying, “Today is Buddha Purnima. Lord Buddha showed us the path of peace. Shaanti ka maarg bhi Shakti se hokar jaata hai (The path of peace also passes through strength),” PM Modi said in his address to the nation.