Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his first speech to the country since the ceasefire after last week’s intense military conflict that India had “suspended” military action against Pakistan.
Speaking Wednesday, the supranational Hindu leader said in New Delhi that his government would not distinguish between “terrorism” and “terrorist groups.” He said that if India has a future “terror” attack, it will “retaliate on its own terms.”
The Indian military claimed that on May 6, it launched multiple missile attacks targeting Pakistan-Pakistan-controlled Kashmir sites, which hit “terrorist infrastructure.”
Pakistan rejected the claim.
Pakistan chose to “attack” India rather than fight terrorism, Modi said, insisting that its country “does not tolerate nuclear threats.”
“We will monitor every step of Pakistan,” Modi added, “This is not an era of war, but this is not an era of terrorism either.”
Modi turned to the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, saying, “Fear and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together.”
The treaty, mediated by the World Bank, has long overcome multiple crises between two rivals. However, India’s recent decision to stop the flow of water shows a sharp diplomatic shift, using water, which Pakistan relies on as leverage for agricultural and private purposes.
The Pakistan finance minister said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that the Indus Waters Treaty, unilaterally suspended by India, “we need to return to where it was.”
On Monday, US President Donald Trump alleged that his administration had hampered the “nuclear conflict” by helping to mediate a ceasefire.
New Delhi condemned Islamabad for the April 22 attack on Indian-controlled Kashmir tourists in Pahargam, during which 26 people were killed. Pakistan strongly denies it.
According to their partial numbers, the fighting since last week has killed around 60 civilians on both sides.
Indian and Pakistani forces to review ceasefires
Top Indian and Pakistan military commanders were expected to revisit the recently intermediated ceasefire agreement on Monday evening.
The Indian military previously reported a “calm night.” Authorities said the night passed peacefully across the border with Kashmir, where the night was contested. No new incidents have been reported.
A senior Indian defense official confirmed that the initially scheduled speech at noon local time had been pushed later that day. Analysts say the discussion is likely to focus on technical details to prevent future flare-ups rather than shaping long-term policies.
Abdul Basit, a South Asian expert at S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the purpose of the exchange is to establish a clear line and avoid failure.
“The goal is to avoid miscalculation because now one spark can move towards a nuclear disaster right away,” Basit told AFP News Agency.
The surge in hostility has marked the most serious conflict between nuclear-armed neighbours since it declared its last conflict in 1999.
As tensions cooled, Indian authorities reopened 32 airports on Monday and were closed for combat.
Both sides claim victory
Kashmir civilians suffer the most from Crossfire.
Military leaders from both countries spent Sunday delivering a pointed briefing, claiming that each won, pledging restraint.
Pakistani military spokesman Lt. Col. Ahmed Schaudhry described the recent operation as “a battlefield success,” saying, “We have fulfilled our promises to the people,” Pakistani military spokesman Lt. Col. Lt. Col.
Air Deputy Ex-Ex-Former Aurangzeb Ahmed added that Pakistan “reestablished deterrence and neutralised important threats.”
Indian General Rajiv Gai claimed that his country had exhibited “immense restraints,” but warned that “the threat to sovereignty, territorial integrity and security will be met with the critical forces of our citizens.”
Despite temporary restraint, both countries remain high alert despite temporary restraint, as abdication sees signs of permanent de-escalation and rekindling of hostilities.
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