In a powerful address to the nation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has temporarily suspended its retaliatory military operations against Pakistan following a direct request from the Pakistani military. This comes after four days of escalating cross-border conflict triggered by a terrorist attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir on April 22.
Speaking for the first time since the ceasefire agreement, Prime Minister Modi revealed that India’s strategic military response had left Pakistan “disoriented,” leading them to appeal to the Indian Directorate General of Military Operations (DGMO) on May 10, requesting a halt to India’s counter-offensive.
“They went door to door seeking a way to save themselves. Finally, they approached our military leadership, and based on that humanitarian request, India has paused its response temporarily,” Modi stated.
According to Modi, Pakistan launched a series of drone and missile attacks targeting Indian civilian and strategic locations including schools, hospitals, and places of worship. However, these attempts were thwarted by India’s advanced defense systems, with missiles and drones being neutralized mid-air.
“Their efforts were futile. None of their weapons caused any serious damage. We responded with precision and power,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India’s decision to suspend retaliation should not be seen as a sign of weakness. Rather, it is a strategic pause, contingent upon Pakistan’s behavior moving forward, especially in relation to its support of terrorism.
“India has accepted the ceasefire request, but we are watching Pakistan’s actions closely. If they continue to support terrorism, our future responses will be far more decisive. We will not hesitate, even if it involves responding to nuclear threats,” Modi warned.
Reiterating India’s long-standing position, Modi declared that India will not resume any form of diplomatic or trade talks with Pakistan until it takes concrete steps to eliminate terror networks operating from its soil.
“There can be no talks where there is terrorism. No trade where there is bloodshed. We cannot allow rivers of blood and rivers of water to flow together,” he asserted, referencing India’s firm stance on water-sharing agreements as well.
Rejecting claims that international pressure, particularly from the United States, influenced India’s decision to accept the ceasefire, Modi said, “India acts in its own interest. We do not bend to outside pressure when it comes to our national security.”
Modi also indicated that any future negotiations with Pakistan would center around the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to India, and not on any other bilateral issue.
“The only conversation we will entertain in the future is on how Pakistan will return our territory — nothing else,” Modi declared in a firm tone.
The Indian Prime Minister directly addressed Pakistan’s army and political leadership, warning them that continued support for terrorism will ultimately lead to their downfall. “The era of war may be behind us, but the era of terrorism must also end. Pakistan will destroy itself from within if it continues down this path,” he concluded.
India’s temporary suspension of retaliatory strikes reflects a calculated approach by New Delhi — demonstrating strength, but also restraint in the face of global scrutiny and humanitarian concerns. However, Prime Minister Modi’s speech leaves no room for ambiguity: peace with Pakistan is only possible if terrorism is decisively rooted out. Until then, India will maintain a vigilant stance, ready to respond with greater force if provoked again.
