NEW DELHI — In a poignant address during his monthly Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, highlighting that Indians accounted for the highest number of foreign casualties in the tragedy. Marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 strikes, the Prime Minister framed the remembrance alongside India’s own evolving counter-terrorism doctrine and key national security milestones.
Commemorating 9/11 and UNGA Diplomatic Stance
Recalling his 2014 visit to New York to honor those who perished at the World Trade Center, Prime Minister Modi extended fresh condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of the nation.
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| KEY DECENNIAL & MILESTONE DATES |
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| Sept 11, 2001 | 25th Anniversary of 9/11 US Terrorist Attacks |
| Sept 13, 2008 | Delhi Serial Blasts Remembrance |
| Sept 28-29 | 10th Anniversary of 2016 Surgical Strikes across LoC |
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The Prime Minister’s remarks align with sharp diplomatic exchanges at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot exercised India’s right of reply to counter statements by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pointing out that al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was sheltered adjacent to Pakistan’s premier military academy in Abbottabad, India underscored the persistent global threat posed by state-sponsored terror havens.
Decisive Shift to Zero Tolerance
Reflecting on domestic security, Prime Minister Modi drew a sharp line between past responses to terror and India’s current operational posture:
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10th Anniversary of Surgical Strikes: The Prime Minister marked a decade since the September 28–29, 2016 surgical strikes, where Indian Special Forces crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to dismantle terror launchpads following the Uri attack.
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Evolution of Response: Citing historical attacks—such as the September 13, 2008 Delhi serial blasts and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks—PM Modi noted that earlier calls for action were often met with hesitation.
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Modern Counter-Terror Doctrine: From the 2019 Balakot airstrikes to the recent Operation Sindoor, India’s military policy now enforces a proactive, cross-border deterrence mechanism against terror networks.
Emphasizing that serial blasts were once frequent in major cities, PM Modi asserted that India’s firm “zero-tolerance” policy has successfully recalibrated national security and regional deterrence.
