NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first public address since the launch of Operation Sindoor, delivered a fierce message to Pakistan, declaring that “not blood, but sindoor (vermilion) flows through my veins” and warning that India’s enemies now know what happens when “sindoor turns into gunpowder.”Speaking at a rally in Rajasthan’s Bikaner on Thursday, PM Modi praised the armed forces for their swift and strategic response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. He said that in retaliation, India “destroyed nine of Pakistan’s biggest terror hideouts in just 22 minutes.”“The world and the enemies of the country have seen what happens when sindoor turns into barood (gunpowder). Those out to wipe out sindoor were reduced to dust,” he said to loud applause.Also Read: PM Modi’s stern warning to Pakistan – ‘No talks, no trade, discussion only on PoK’“Pakistan can never win a direct war against India. Whenever there has been a direct confrontation, Pakistan has had to face defeat again and again. That is why Pakistan has made terrorism a weapon to fight against India. This has been going on for several decades since independence. Pakistan spreads terror, kills innocent people, and tries to create an atmosphere of fear in India,” PM Modi said.“But Pakistan forgot one thing, now Modi, the servant of Mother India, stands here firmly. Modi’s mind is calm, it remains cool, but blood runs hot. And in Modi’s veins, it’s not blood that flows it’s hot, sacred sindoor,” he said.The prime minister reiterated that India will no longer be restrained in its response to terrorism, saying that if India is attacked, “a strong retaliation will follow, at a time and in a manner of the armed forces’ choosing.”Reiterating his government’s tough stance, PM Modi said: “There will be neither trade nor talks with Pakistan. If talks happen, it will only be about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.”He asserted that Pakistan can never win a direct war against India, and that is why it resorts to terrorism. “Every time they fight directly, they are defeated. So, they made terrorism their tool — but this time, they were met with fire,” he said.Taking a swipe at Pakistan PM Modi said that Pakistan’s attempt to target the Nal airbase in Bikaner failed to cause any damage. In contrast, Pakistan’s Rahimyar Khan airbase was severely hit in India’s retaliation.“No one knows when it will open again. It’s in the ICU,” PM Modi said.“Our government gave a free hand to all three forces. They laid such a trap that Pakistan was forced to go down on its knees,” he added.
