In his first public appearance since Pakistan’s retaliatory airstrikes, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that talks with Islamabad will be limited strictly to terrorism and the issue of Kashmir.
Addressing the nation, Modi stated, “Water and blood cannot flow together,” emphasizing that India will no longer tolerate cross-border violence.
Modi’s address came days after Pakistan launched Operation Bunyān Marsūs in response to India’s airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, which began on the night of May 6–7. The Indian strikes had targeted alleged militant camps across Pakistani cities, including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur. In retaliation, Pakistan conducted deep-strike operations inside Indian territory, destroying key targets and downing six Indian fighter jets — including three French-made Rafale aircraft.
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Claiming credit for the initial attack, Modi said: “We hit them in a way they never imagined. They were prepared only at the border, but we entered deep into their territory and struck hard.” He also claimed that over 100 militants were killed in the operation and claimed Pakistan had now given assurances that no further terror attacks would be launched from its soil — a claim Islamabad has not confirmed.
Referring to the deadly attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, Modi said the brutality shocked the world and demanded a firm response. “This was terrorism in its ugliest form. We won’t be threatened by nuclear blackmail,” he added.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed earlier today that any future dialogue with India will only happen under clear conditions — focusing on water disputes, terrorism, and the Kashmir conflict. “We will not negotiate under pressure. Any talks will be issue-specific,” Asif stated.
The escalating situation had brought both nuclear-armed nations dangerously close to full-scale conflict before a sudden ceasefire was declared. Sources say this came after high-level diplomatic intervention, including from U.S. President Donald Trump.
