Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Operation Sindoor as a turning point in India’s national security doctrine and a definitive end to Pakistan’s long-standing policy of “nuclear blackmail.”
Speaking amidst chants of support from his party and pointed interruptions from the Opposition, Modi described the May military operation as a “Vijayotsav” — a victory celebration not only of the Indian Army’s might but also of the unity and resolve of Indians.
Modi’s speech capped the marathon discussion on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack. The Lok Sabha witnessed fiery and spirited speeches from both sides of the aisle. Though the Opposition and the Treasury benches attacked each other — making finer points about the war between India and Pakistan — the Parliament witnessed a good, engaging debate on the subject.
Modi, in his speech, not only laid down the political viewpoint of the government, but also used the over 100-minute speech to attack the Congress and even questioned the Nehruvian legacy. The WEEK looks at the key takeaways
JD Vance and the call Modi missed
In a pointed reference to repeated claims from President Donald Trump that he had stopped a war between India and Pakistan, Modi said, “No world leader told us to stop. On the night of May 9, the Vice President of America [Vance] called several times. I didn’t take the call — I was in a meeting with my army,” Modi said. “When I did call back, I was told that Pakistan was planning a major attack. I replied that if they do, it will cost them dearly. That night, we struck back.”
India’s revenge
Detailing the timeline, Modi said the operation was launched in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam — a strike he said was part of a broader conspiracy to plunge India into communal violence. Upon his return to India that day, Modi said he convened an emergency meeting and granted the armed forces a free hand to act.
“On the night of 6 May and the morning of 7 May, India struck back decisively. In just 22 minutes, our forces eliminated terrorist bases inside Pakistan, disproving once and for all their nuclear threat narrative,” Modi told the House.
According to Modi, Indian airstrikes caused severe damage to multiple Pakistani airbases, some of which, he claimed, “remain in ICU” even now.
Three principles of Operation Sindoor
“If there is a terrorist attack on India, we will respond in our own way, on our own terms, and at our own time.”
Secondly, no nuclear blackmail will work anymore. “We proved Pakistan's nuclear threat to be false. India has proved that nuclear blackmailing will no longer be tolerated, and neither will India bow down to nuclear blackmailing.”
And thirdly, “we will not see the terrorist-sponsoring government and the masters of terror as separate.” After our attack, Modi said, the masterminds cannot sleep. They know that India will come after them. This new normal has been set by India.
1,000 missiles shot down, ‘Pakistan knelt down’
In the most dramatic revelation of his speech, Modi claimed that on 9 May, Pakistan had attempted to launch nearly 1,000 missiles and drones against India. “Had even a fraction of those missiles hit, the destruction would’ve been immense. But our forces neutralised every single one in the sky,” he said. “That night, from 9 May through the early hours of 10 May, Indian missiles struck deep into Pakistan. They never imagined such force — and they were forced to kneel.”
War fought with 'Made in India' weapons
Modi underlined that the success of Operation Sindoor was also a testament to India’s technological advancement and defence self-reliance.
He said Made-in-India drones and missiles played a key role in the strikes, revealing the shortcomings of Pakistan’s imported arsenal. The Prime Minister credited defence reforms over the past decade, including the promotion of defence startups and tripling of the defence budget.
“Today, India’s defence exports have increased thirty-fold and our weapons are in demand in nearly 100 countries,” he said. “Operation Sindoor has firmly planted India’s flag in the global defence market.”
Blistering attack on Congress
Modi accused the Congress party, particularly Rahul Gandhi, of undermining national security for political gain. “After the Pahalgam attack, they mocked me. They asked, ‘Where is the 56-inch chest now?’ Rahul has no faith in the Indian Army or India's capabilities,” Modi said.
He claimed that Congress’ demand for proof of Pakistani involvement in terrorism was equivalent to granting Pakistan a “clean chit,” and asserted that opposition rhetoric during the crisis had demoralised the armed forces.
Decrying Nehru’s legacy
In an attack on India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Congress-era diplomacy, Modi blamed past governments for compromising national interests.
He revisited historical events such as the 1962 war, return of Haji Pir Pass in 1965, and the 1971 war negotiations, asserting that opportunities to reclaim PoK or secure Kartarpur Sahib were squandered.
He also criticised the Indus Water Treaty as “a betrayal of Indian self-respect,” saying it gave 80% of river water to Pakistan while Indian farmers suffered. “What kind of diplomacy was this? You gave away rivers born on Indian soil to a hostile neighbour. This wasn’t wisdom — this was weakness,” Modi said.
With Operation Sindoor still ongoing, Modi framed the strikes not as only revenge but as the new normal in India's response to terrorism — powerful, decisive, and unapologetic.