New Delhi, October 17, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India no longer remains passive in the face of terror attacks, emphasizing that the country now retaliates decisively through surgical strikes, air operations, and strategic military initiatives. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025 in New Delhi on Friday, Modi highlighted India’s resilience, economic progress, and self-reliance, framing the nation as “unstoppable” despite challenges.

India Responds Strongly to Terrorism

Modi underscored that India’s approach to terrorism has transformed significantly in recent years. “India no more remains silent after terror attacks but gives befitting reply through air strikes, surgical strikes, and Operation Sindoor,” he said, referencing the government’s targeted military actions against terror infrastructure. According to the prime minister, these operations reflect a decisive stance against threats and mark a departure from a more restrained posture in previous decades.

The prime minister emphasized that India’s response is both strategic and calibrated, asserting that the nation will protect its sovereignty and interests without hesitation. The remarks came amid continuing discussions on regional security challenges and India’s evolving defense posture.

Economic Resilience Amid Challenges

Addressing the broader theme of India’s growth, Modi highlighted the country’s economic achievements. “When wars became headlines globally, India proved naysayers wrong by continuing to march ahead as the fastest growing economy,” he said. He credited strong governance, economic reforms, and citizen-focused policies for India’s transformation from being part of the “fragile five” to becoming one of the world’s top five economies.

The prime minister also stressed India’s self-reliance, mentioning initiatives spanning diverse sectors, “From chips to ships, India is self-reliant and filled with confidence in every sphere.” He noted that these achievements demonstrate India’s ability to overcome obstacles, navigate roadblocks, and sustain momentum in the global arena.

Unstoppable India: Vision and Determination

Referring to the event’s theme, Modi said, “We will neither pause nor slow down. 140 crore Indians will move forward together with full momentum.” He highlighted that despite challenges—described as “roadblocks and speed breakers”—India remains determined and “unstoppable.”

The prime minister framed this vision as a combination of strong governance, economic strategy, and citizen empowerment, emphasizing that India’s growth trajectory is intertwined with both national security and development goals.

Critique of Previous Governments

Modi also took a pointed dig at previous Congress-led governments, accusing them of distancing people from financial services and policy benefits. “Unlike Congress, we worked towards democratising policies. This is the driving force behind Unstoppable Bharat,” he said.

He elaborated that prior administrations failed to ensure financial inclusion, leaving large segments of the population without access to banks. “When we took over, half of the population didn’t even have bank accounts,” Modi said, asserting that government initiatives under his leadership have aimed to empower citizens directly and inclusively.

Strategic and National Security Outlook

In his address, Modi tied India’s military readiness and proactive security measures to its broader vision of self-reliance and global influence. By referencing operations like Operation Sindoor, alongside air and surgical strikes, he reinforced the narrative that India will act decisively against threats to its security while continuing to strengthen its economic and strategic capabilities.

The prime minister’s remarks come amid a period of heightened focus on regional security, economic recovery, and India’s positioning on the global stage. By coupling strong defense posture with development achievements, Modi presented a vision of a nation that is assertive, self-sufficient, and unstoppable in pursuing national goals.