NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a fresh warning to Pakistan, saying Indian forces would enter Pakistani territory to strike if Islamabad carries out what he described as “malicious acts”.
Modi made the remarks while speaking at the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce on Saturday. He claimed that terrorists were now “on the back foot” and contrasted the situation with earlier periods when, according to him, Pakistan had acted without facing an effective response.
He also highlighted what he described as improvements in security across Jammu and Kashmir and a decline in Maoist violence. Modi linked these developments to India’s wider economic rise, pointing to reported GDP growth of 7.8 per cent and describing India as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
His comments, however, have drawn criticism from academics and observers who questioned the timing and recalled the military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
Swain recalls May 2025 conflict
Ashok Swain, Professor of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University in Sweden, responded to Modi’s remarks on X.
“When Modi faces troubles at home, he starts a fight with Pakistan. Has he forgotten what happened in May 2025? Vinash kale viprit buddhi!” Swain wrote.
Modi is Dimagi Bimar!
How such a low grade mentally sick man running a country of 1.4 billion people? pic.twitter.com/V7bBRpDUAk— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) September 5, 2026
The reference to May 2025 recalls one of the most serious India-Pakistan military confrontations in recent years.
The crisis followed the April 22, 2025 attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, while Pakistan denied involvement.
On May 7, India launched air strikes against targets in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. Pakistan responded with military action and claimed to have shot down Indian fighter aircraft.
The two sides then exchanged further strikes against military facilities. Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos during the confrontation.
The fighting ended with a ceasefire on May 10 after US diplomatic intervention. The Pakistan Army later referred to the conflict period as “Marka-i-Haq”.
Timing draws attention
Modi’s latest remarks also coincide with Pakistan’s Defense Day, observed annually on September 6.
The day commemorates Pakistan’s military resistance during the 1965 war with India. It has since become an important national occasion dedicated to remembering soldiers who lost their lives and recognizing the role of the armed forces.
Pakistan marks Defense Day with military ceremonies, tributes to fallen soldiers and messages highlighting national unity and resilience.
The timing of Modi’s comments has therefore attracted particular attention in Pakistan, where the day carries strong historical and emotional significance.
Political rhetoric remains a concern
The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of decades of tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Critics, however, argue that threatening military action risks increasing tensions between the two countries.
The May 2025 confrontation demonstrated how quickly tensions can escalate from political accusations into direct military action.
With both countries possessing nuclear weapons, any future crisis could carry serious regional consequences.
Modi’s remarks have once again placed India-Pakistan relations at the center of public debate, while Pakistan’s Defense Day adds a particularly sensitive backdrop to the latest warning.
