Pulwama: Indian PM softens tone: Retribution to be in diplomacy, trade: Modi

TONK, RAJASTHAN: The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday he is committed to striking Pakistan diplomatically and in terms of trade as retribution for the Pulwama attack.

Addressing a rally here, he said: "The enemies of humanity must be taught a lesson. Everything will be accounted for. Pakistan must be isolated in the world. Your chowkidar (watchman) is working just for this," he said.

Modi claimed that most of the countries and global organisations were united against the Pulwama terror attack. He threw a challenge to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, asking him to act honourably by bringing to justice those responsible for the Pulwama terror attack.

He recalled the phone call he made to Mr Khan to congratulate him for winning the Pakistani elections last year.

"I told him there have been plenty of fights between India and Pakistan. …I told him let us fight against poverty and illiteracy.

“He told me, 'Modi ji, I am the son of a Pathan. I speak true and I do true'. Today, the time has come for him to stand true to his words. I will see whether he stands true to his words or not," Modi added.

Narendra Modi denounced attacks on the Kashmiri youths in some parts of the country.

He said Kashmiri youths should not be targeted anywhere in the country, report agencies.

Modi said, “Our fight is against terror, the enemies of humanity… Our fight is for Kashmir not against Kashmir, not against Kashmiris.

“What happened to Kashmiri youths in the last few days… It does not matter whether the incident was small or big, such things should not happen.

The Kashmiri youths are victims of terror,” added Modi. The prime minister said incidents like these “give power to Bharat ke tukde honge gang” and their supporters.

“It is the responsibility of every Indian to protect every laal (child) of Kashmir,” he said. Modi warned those fighting for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, saying, “Action has been taken against separatists and more action will be taken against such people…We can’t keep silent, we know how to crush terror.”

A day after Pulwama attack, the Modi government withdrew the most favoured nation status granted to Pakistan in 1996. The government also hiked tariff on goods to be imported from Pakistan by 200 per cent.