New Delhi, May 27 (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a gathering in Gujarat, strongly condemned Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism, labeling it a strategic war against India. He expressed determination to eliminate terrorism, stating, remove the 'terror thorn' from India. Modi criticized unnamed political rivals for allowing this issue to persist for 75 years, referencing prior attacks on civilians and pilgrims by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. He questioned India's tolerance for such violence and called for a decisive response, emphasizing the need to respond to bullets with bullets. His comments followed a recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that resulted in 26 civilian deaths, attributed to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Modi also discussed Op Sindoor, a tri-service operation on May 7, which marked a significant military response to Pakistan's aggression. Praising the Indian armed forces and highlighting a renewed wave of patriotism, he urged Pakistan to choose peace over terrorism and eliminate its longstanding animosity toward India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India's stance on the Indus Water Treaty during a ceremony marking 20 years of urban development in Gujarat, declaring the country's response would mirror any provocations from its neighboring country. He noted the treaty's negative effects on India's interests, revealing that its suspension has incited anxiety in Pakistan.

PM Modi highlighted his astonishment at the treaty's provisions, asserting India's desire for collective welfare. He pointed out that, under the 1960 treaty, the gates of dams in Jammu and Kashmir were left untouched for decades, which has changed recently as India has initiated some cleaning and minor gate openings, leading to flooding in Pakistan. He remarked that this is only a preliminary action and expressed disbelief at the panic it has caused.

In the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, it was decided that the desilting of dams on J&K rivers wouldn’t be done. The gates didn’t open for 60 years… I have not done much yet. We have just put it on abeyance, but they are already sweating, said Modi.

Additionally, he recalled Sardar Patel’s support for reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and lamented that if decisive action had been taken against infiltrators in 1947, the current situation might have been different.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar