PM Modi reaffirms India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, warning that any attack will face a strong response. Backing Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s article, the message underlines no distinction between terrorists and sponsors, with a global call to act decisively against terror networks and their state backers.
India has once again made it clear that any act of aggression or terrorism directed towards its territory will be met with a strong and uncompromising response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the nation’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, stating that no distinction will be made between the terrorists and those who support or sponsor them. His statement came in the context of an article written by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, published in a national daily, which outlined India’s unwavering stance against cross-border terrorism, particularly emanating from Pakistan.
The backdrop to this firm declaration is the long-standing challenge India faces with terrorism, much of which has been traced back to Pakistan-based groups. The history of strained India-Pakistan relations is heavily marked by incidents like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Uri attack, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing, all of which involved Pakistan-based terror outfits. These events have shaped India’s counter-terrorism strategy and reinforced its position on national security.
In his article, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated that India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. He emphasized that any acts of terror will be retaliated against, regardless of whether they are directly carried out by militant groups or indirectly supported by state actors. His comments reflect a broader strategic and diplomatic message aimed at Pakistan and the international community.
Rajnath Singh underscored that there can be no parallel track between dialogue and terrorism. “Talks and terror cannot go hand-in-hand,” he asserted, indicating that any future engagement with Pakistan would solely revolve around issues of terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This policy framework signals a shift from broader peace talks to a more focused approach aimed at countering extremism and reclaiming strategic control.
The Defence Minister further clarified that if Pakistan is sincere about establishing peace, it must take concrete steps, including the extradition of United Nations-designated terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, who are believed to be key masterminds behind several terror attacks on Indian soil. Singh’s call to action places the onus on Pakistan to prove its commitment to peace through decisive measures.
Beyond the regional focus, Rajnath Singh expanded the discussion to a global scale, labeling terrorism as an international problem that requires collective action. He pointed out that the world cannot afford to rely on fragmented or piecemeal efforts to counter this menace. Instead, there needs to be a cohesive, united front against terrorism.
To that end, the Minister proposed five strategic steps for the global community to combat terrorism effectively:
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A universally accepted definition of ‘terrorism’.
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Freezing the finances of terrorist organisations and their state sponsors.
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Calling out and isolating countries that use terrorism as a tool of foreign policy.
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Sharing real-time intelligence among nations to prevent attacks.
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Establishing strong legal frameworks for cross-border cooperation in anti-terrorism operations.
These recommendations come at a time when the global security landscape is increasingly volatile, with terrorist groups exploiting modern technology, financial systems, and political instability to further their agendas. India’s position reflects a call for global leadership to not only condemn terrorism but take measurable steps to eradicate it.
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Prime Minister Modi’s endorsement of Singh’s article signals strong political backing at the highest level for this hardened stance. Modi’s message is unambiguous: India will not tolerate terrorism in any form, and it expects the international community to hold countries accountable for sheltering or supporting extremist elements.
This reiteration of India’s anti-terror policy comes as both a warning and an appeal — a warning to adversaries and a call to allies for stronger global cooperation against the threat of terrorism.
