'If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure': PM Modi

NEW DELHI: In a hard-hitting speech that clearly signalled a paradigm shift, PM Narendra Modi on Monday evening unveiled India's new doctrine towards Pakistan-backed terror , saying India would give a fitting reply to future attacks, which will not be constrained by geography or Islamabad's 'nuclear blackmail'. India would no longer differentiate between terror masterminds and their state sponsors, he added in no uncertain terms, doing away with a vital distinction that had been made till now.

Addressing the nation, PM Modi made it clear that Operation Sindoor has only been suspended and India could resume military action if Pakistan does not abide by the commitments it made to get India to agree to the pause. "In the coming days, we will measure every step of Pakistan on the criterion of what sort of attitude Pakistan will adopt ahead," the PM said.

"Now, Operation Sindoor is India's policy against terrorism. It has carved out a new benchmark and has set up a new parameter and new normal," said the PM as he complimented the three services, security forces and paramilitary troops, the intelligence community and scientists for the precision strikes that damaged airbases in the heart of Pakistan.

Modi made it clear that India would not relent on its stand of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty as part of its response to Pakistan-sponsored terror, ruled out any effort towards resumption of bilateral trade and asserted that India would not discuss anything other than terror and Pakistan's forcible occupation of parts of J&K.

"India's stand is very clear... terror and talks cannot go together.. terror and trade cannot go together... water and blood cannot flow together," he asserted.