PM Modi addressed the nation on the 79th Independence Day from the iconic Red Fort in Delhi
- PM Modi said Operation Sindoor would not have succeeded if India were not 'atmanirbhar' (self-reliant)
- In his Independence Day speech, he praised "brave soldiers who punished masters of terror" during Op Sindoor
- "After April 22, we gave armed forces a free hand to respond to terrorists," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Operation Sindoor, which was launched in May to target terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), would not have succeeded if India were not 'atmanirbhar' (self-reliant).
In his address to the nation on the 79th Independence Day from the iconic Red Fort in Delhi, he also said that 'atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) is the foundation of 'viksit Bharat' (a developed India).
"Had we not been self-reliant, India would not have been able to carry out Operation Sindoor so successfully," PM Modi said while delivering his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort.
The Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 after finding cross-border links to the April 22 Pahalgam attack. They struck multiple terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing over 100 terrorists.
Pakistan then launched a massive missile and drone attack, which was intercepted by India. In retaliation, India struck airfields in Pakistan. A ceasefire was announced on May 10.
In his speech, PM Modi also praised the "brave soldiers who punished masters of terror beyond their imagination".
"After April 22, we gave armed forces a free hand to respond to terrorists," he said.
"What the Indian armed forces have done during Operation Sindoor was not seen in many, many years. We have set a new normal in dealing with cross-border terrorism, he added.
PM Modi also said Pakistan has "lost its sleep" after Operation Sindoor.
In a message to Pakistan, PM Modi said India has decided that it "will not tolerate nuclear threats".
"We won't fall for any blackmail," he said.
PM Modi also said that being dependent on other countries is a "recipe for disaster".
"We must be self-reliant to safeguard our interests," he said.
He also called for the development of indigenous jet engines for 'Made in India' fighter jets.
"I have full faith in the capabilities of our youths to make India a developed nation by 2047," he said.
