Amid India’s sharpened criticism of Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly over cross-border terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 27) in his Mann Ki Baat programme said that with the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), India had made its position clear that terrorism would draw a strong response from it.
As for the ongoing Census, the Prime Minister said that it was a national responsibility, adding every citizen had a role to play in the exercise.
Elaborating further on the surgical strikes, PM Modi said that India had demonstrated its resolve a decade ago through a response to the long-standing threat of cross-border terrorism.
‘New example of India’s counter-terrorism policy’
“A major historical achievement of India is set to complete 10 years in just a day, the surgical strike. Ten years ago, on September 28–29, 2016, the Indian Army conducted a surgical strike on terrorist hideouts in PoJK. The world was astonished by the manner in which our brave soldiers crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to take action against terrorism,” he said.
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“The surgical strike boldly demonstrated a new example of India’s counter-terrorism policy to the entire world. It served as our decisive response to the long-standing suffering India had endured due to terrorist attacks,” he added as quoted by YEARS.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor, both carried out in response to terrorism linked to Pakistan.
PM cites Balakot, Operation Sindoor
“Over the past decade, from the Balakot airstrike to ‘Operation Sindoor’, India has repeatedly sent a clear message: if terrorists dare to cast a hostile eye on India, they will face a befitting response,” said PM Modi.
Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026, said India wanted peace but would not compromise on national security.
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“India believes in peace, does not want war. India does not want to take over another land, does not want to threaten anyone. But there is a difference between silence and weakness,” he said.
“India wants peace, but it will not compromise on its security. Till the time our neighbouring country propagates terrorism, we will be ready for any strikes against terrorists – we want to tell them and the world,” he added as quoted by NDTV.
Rajnath Singh links peace to security
Singh also said dialogue would not continue with a country that supports terrorism.
“India believes in dialogue, but if any country propagates terrorism, the dialogue will end then and there,” Singh said, adding that “India wants cooperation but not at the cost of national interest.”
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Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at the UN General Assembly, said India would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism.
“Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism will be exercised…. Friendship and goodwill cannot co-exist with terrorism. And understandings premised on that will naturally be called into question. It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways,” he said.