Independence Day speech: PM Modi warns Pak against nuclear blackmail, slams ‘one-sided’ Indus Waters Treaty

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Speaking at the Red Fort on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a stern warning to Pakistan -- declaring that India will not yield to nuclear blackmail and will respond decisively to any threat.

“Nuclear blackmail has been going on for a long time, but it will no longer be tolerated. If our enemies continue such attempts in the future, our Armed Forces will decide the objectives on their own terms, and we will ensure their implementation,” the Prime Minister said during his Independence Day address.

Referring to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the Prime Minister cautioned Pakistan with his remark: “Blood and water cannot flow together.”

“The people of our country have clearly understood how unjust and one-sided the Indus agreement is. The waters of rivers originating in India have been irrigating the fields of our enemies, while the farmers and the land of my own country remain thirsty without water. This was such an agreement that has caused unimaginable damage to the farmers of my country for the last seven decades. Now, the right over the water belongs only to the farmers of India,” he said.

Recalling the Pahalgam attack on April 22, the Prime Minister noted that it had sparked nationwide anger and stunned the global community.

"On 22nd April, terrorists from across the border came to Pahalgam and killed people after asking their religion... Entire India was outraged, and the entire world was shocked by such a massacre. Operation Sindoor is the expression of that outrage," he said.

"After the 22nd, we gave a free hand to our armed forces. They decide the strategy, target and time. Our Forces did what had never been done for several decades. We entered hundreds of kilometres into the enemy soil and razed their terrorist HQ to the ground...Destruction in Pakistan is so massive that new revelations are being made every day and new information is coming out daily," the Prime Minister stated further.