Modi hails security personnel for averting similar attacks; says India now fighting terrorism with new policy, process
Delivering a strong message to Pakistan on the 12th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Prime Minister Naredra Modi on Thursday called it the biggest strike ever on India and said the country can never forget the wounds inflicted by terrorists from Pakistan.
Expressing gratitude to security personnel, the Prime Minister said India is fighting terrorism with new policies. “On this day in 2008, terrorists from Pakistan attacked Mumbai. Many, including foreign citizens, policemen, died. I pay tributes to them,” he said
“India is now fighting terrorism with a new policy and a new process,” Modi said.
The 2008 terror attack had claimed the lives of 165 people and injured about 300.
“India cannot forget wounds of Mumbai terror attacks. Today India is fighting terrorism with new policies. I also bow down to our security personnel averting attacks like Mumbai and giving befitting reply to terrorism,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the All India Presiding Officers Conference here, via video conferencing.
The PM’s address made to celebrate Constitution Day, also hailed the robustness of the Indian Constitution despite “attempts made to destroy its spirit” during the Emergency in the 1970s.
“From what should be the role of the three wings of our Constitution to its spirit, everything is enshrined in the Constitution. Though we did witness how attempts were made against the dignity of separation of power in the 1970s… but the answer for that came from the Constitution itself as decorum and separation of power is described in it,” Modi said in his video conference address.
Modi said after the Emergency, the system of checks and balances has gone from strength to strength.
“All the three wings of the Constitution — the executive, legislature and judiciary - have learnt many things from that dark phase and moved on,” the PM sought to say.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for his part said India will keep the global spotlight “firmly” on cross-border terrorism and on the epicentre of the global menace, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.