Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took aim at Pakistan on Saturday, saying that Operation Sindoor had sent shockwaves in Pakistan, especially the BrahMos missile strikes.
Modi also had a message for Donald Trump, without taking his name. Days after the US President described India as a “dead economy”, Modi said India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy.
Addressing a public rally in Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, the PM highlighted the strength of India’s indigenous weapons such as the BrahMos, which he said has become a symbol of fear for the enemies.
“Pakistan loses sleep when it hears the sound of BrahMos. The missiles made in Uttar Pradesh will now destroy the terrorists if Pakistan commits any sin again,” Modi warned.
The Prime Minister invoked ‘Rudra roop’, fierce form of Lord Shiva, to describe India’s response to the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent men. In less than half an hour, in the early hours of May 7, India’s Armed forces targeted and destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), using a tri-services strategy involving missiles, drones and air defence systems.
India’s indigenous defence platforms, including air defence systems and drones, underlined the strength of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, said Modi. “The power of our locally developed weapons was on full display.”
He took a dig at the Opposition, saying that while Pakistan was reeling from the aftermath of the strikes, Congress and Samajwadi Party were “unable to cope” with India’s success.
“You all must have seen the visuals of how our drones and missiles precisely struck and reduced terrorist headquarters to rubble. Several air bases in Pakistan are still in ICU. While Pakistan’s anguish is understandable, what’s shocking is that Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders are also unable to cope with it,” Modi remarked.
“My promise to avenge the sindoor of our daughters was fulfilled with Mahadev’s blessings,” Modo boasted.
Earlier in the day, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects worth over Rs 2,000 crore and distributed Rs 20,500 crore as the 20th PM-KISAN instalment to over 9.7 crore farmers.
Pitch for ‘swadeshi’
Making a strong pitch for ‘swadeshi’ products, the PM asserted that the government is doing everything necessary to serve the country’s best interests amid an “atmosphere of global instability”.
“There is an atmosphere of global instability. All countries are focusing on their individual interests. India is going to become the third biggest economy in the world and that is why India will have to stay alert as far as its economic interests are concerned,” Modi said.
“Our government is doing everything it can in the best interest of the country… Those who want the best for the country and want to see India as the third biggest economy in the world, be it any political party, should leave their differences aside and instil a resolution for ‘swadeshi’ products. We will buy only those things that are made by Indians. We need to become vocal for local.”
