In Brief
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the remarks during the 138th episode of his monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, on September 27, 2026.
- The address coincided with the 10th anniversary of the September 28–29, 2016 surgical strikes launched by the Indian Army across the Line of Control.
- Modi highlighted a decade-long continuum of military responses, including the 2016 surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot air strikes, and 2025's Operation Sindoor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on September 27, 2026, during the 138th episode of Mann Ki Baat, outlining India's national security doctrine on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 surgical strikes. Referring to the Indian Army's cross-border action on September 28–29, 2016 following the Uri attack, Modi stated that the operation established a new precedent in India’s counter-terrorism response. He emphasized that subsequent actions, including the 2019 Balakot air strikes and Operation Sindoor launched in May 2025, reinforce a consistent policy that any cross-border terror attempt will draw a direct military response.
Contrasting current security protocols with previous decades, the Prime Minister noted that past terror incidents—such as the September 13, 2008 Delhi serial blasts and the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks—were met with inaction despite public calls for measures against cross-border bases. Modi stated that India’s military posture has shifted from reactive measures to a zero-tolerance policy backed by operational readiness. The broadcast also covered additional national initiatives, including updates on the ongoing national census, the "Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan" anti-drug campaign, and wildlife conservation achievements across multiple states.
