Stop Hiding Behind Proxy Wars—PM Modi Publicly Shames Pakistan in Gujarat

In a powerful and politically charged address during his recent visit to Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched one of his most scathing verbal assaults on Pakistan in recent years. Accusing the neighboring country of consistently relying on terrorism and proxy wars instead of direct confrontation, Modi called out Pakistan in unambiguous terms: either pursue peace or be prepared for decisive retaliation. This public rebuke, given amid a celebratory wave following the success of Operation Sindoor, marks a defining moment in India’s evolving security doctrine and its diplomatic posture toward its western neighbor.


The backdrop for Modi’s speech is the recent military success of Operation Sindoor — a targeted strike conducted by Indian forces in response to sustained cross-border terror activity. While the Indian government has refrained from sharing tactical details of the operation, sources indicate that it was aimed at neutralizing several terror launchpads and infrastructure networks operating with support from elements across the border. Modi’s speech, delivered with nationalistic fervor, was intended not just to celebrate the valor of Indian soldiers but also to issue a warning that proxy wars will no longer be tolerated with diplomatic patience.

“Operation Sindoor has sent a message,” Modi said, “We are no longer the India that waits to absorb the blow before responding. We act, and we act with resolve.”

Public rallies and roadshows in Ahmedabad and Vadodara echoed with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” as the Prime Minister emphasized that India’s military action was not just a response, but a demonstration of a shift in strategic philosophy.


For decades, India has accused Pakistan of pursuing a strategy of asymmetric warfare, where non-state actors — often with the silent support of state institutions — are deployed to inflict damage, sow unrest, and erode Indian sovereignty. This strategy, dubbed “proxy war,” has found expression in various forms: infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC), terror attacks in metropolitan cities, the weaponization of social media for radicalization, and hybrid warfare through cyberattacks.

From the Kargil intrusion in 1999 to the Mumbai attacks of 2008, and the repeated targeting of Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir, the pattern has remained consistent. While the international community has often condemned such acts, the enforcement of accountability has been absent. India’s measured responses were often interpreted by Islamabad as evidence of hesitancy or diplomatic paralysis. Modi’s recent statement, however, asserts a decisive departure from that tradition.

“Those who hide behind terror will no longer be shielded by silence. We have named them, and we will deal with them,” he declared to a thunderous crowd.

This is not the first time Modi has made bold statements on Pakistan’s use of terror, but the combination of military success and domestic public support has given these words unprecedented weight.


The quote that has gone viral — “Live a life of peace and eat bread, otherwise, my bullets are always there” — serves as both a poetic warning and a blunt message. Modi, a master of symbolism and oratory, has often used allegories to drive home geopolitical points. In this instance, “bread” represents peaceful coexistence and economic development, while “bullets” stand for military consequences.

This analogy also plays into Pakistan’s worsening internal conditions. Economic instability, political disarray, and rising insurgency in its own territories have weakened the country’s social and administrative framework. Modi’s speech, then, was not merely aimed at Islamabad’s military establishment, but also at its public — a reminder that choosing peace would bring relief, while continuing hostility would spell ruin.

It is also important to note the timing. Pakistan is facing diplomatic isolation, with several Gulf nations cooling ties and the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) maintaining scrutiny over terror financing concerns. Modi’s message to Pakistan is also a strategic message to the international community: India is reclaiming agency over its security.


Perhaps one of the more underplayed but equally significant moments in Modi’s Gujarat address was his reference to the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) — a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank that allows Pakistan access to waters of the western rivers of the Indus system.

Modi said, “We have not even done much yet, but they are already sweating. Let it be clear — we reserve the right to reconsider agreements when blood is spilled by those who benefit from our generosity.”

This remark was met with loud cheers, but its implications are serious. The IWT has long been considered sacrosanct, even during wars between the two countries. India’s patience, as per Modi’s statement, appears to be wearing thin. While no formal action has been announced, even the threat of reviewing the treaty introduces a new pressure point for Pakistan — one that could impact its agriculture, economy, and domestic stability.


Modi’s message has not gone unnoticed internationally. While Western powers have urged both countries to maintain peace, there is an increasing understanding of India’s frustrations. The United States, the United Kingdom, and France have all, at various points, called out Pakistan-based terror groups, particularly Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

China, while continuing its strategic partnership with Pakistan, has remained largely silent on the issue of terrorism emanating from its territory. This silence, coupled with China’s own internal concerns in Xinjiang and Tibet, leaves Pakistan diplomatically exposed.

India’s next steps remain critical. A diplomatic campaign may follow to further isolate Pakistan, coupled with internal reforms to ensure intelligence preparedness and border security. Defense cooperation with Israel, the U.S., and France is likely to expand, especially in the areas of drone technology, surveillance, and cyber defense.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s options are narrowing. With an economy teetering on collapse, IMF bailouts contingent on structural reforms, and increasing domestic unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad may find itself under pressure to recalibrate its strategy.

In Gujarat, Modi did more than merely campaign or celebrate a military operation — he shifted the narrative. The era of backchannel dialogues and Track II diplomacy seems eclipsed by a new era of public accountability and unapologetic deterrence. By calling out Pakistan’s use of terrorism as a state policy in front of thousands, Modi not only galvanized public opinion but also asserted India’s new security identity to the world.

Whether this speech marks the beginning of a sustained strategic transformation or merely a moment of political assertiveness remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that India, under Modi, no longer intends to respond to terror with silence. The message has been delivered: Choose peace and progress, or face a bullet-bound reckoning.

The world is watching — and so is the Indian voter.