Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, calling it an assault on humanity and India’s unity. Addressing the “Sikkim@50” celebration via videoconference from Bagdogra, West Bengal, the Prime Minister said the attack, which claimed 26 lives, was met with a decisive and united response through Operation Sindoor.
“What happened in Pahalgam was not just an attack on tourists or India—it was an attack on humanity and the spirit of brotherhood,” PM Modi said. “Terrorists tried to shatter our unity and divide us, but India gave them a fitting reply. The world saw how, united as one, India struck back by destroying terrorist hideouts in a precise and swift operation.”
He added that Pakistan’s retaliatory targeting of Indian civilians and the military only further exposed its true intentions. “By dismantling their airbases, India demonstrated its strength and strategic capability,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi also took the occasion to reflect on Sikkim’s 50-year journey since joining the Indian Union. Hailing Sikkim as a model of democracy, cultural richness, and ecological balance, he said the state has shown how progress can align with nature.
“In the last five decades, Sikkim has illuminated India’s sky with the brilliance of its people. Its commitment to organic agriculture and environmental preservation is exemplary,” he noted.
He praised Sikkim’s farmers for leading India’s shift toward sustainable agriculture and announced the creation of the country’s first Organic Fishery Cluster in Sikkim, which he said would open new opportunities for the state’s youth.
Speaking about India’s development strategy, PM Modi emphasized the four pillars of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India): the poor, farmers, women, and youth. He also outlined his vision for Sikkim to become a global tourist destination, encouraging the development of adventure, sports, wellness, and concert tourism.
“Our dream is to see the valleys of Gangtok host the world’s greatest artists, and for Sikkim to emerge as a hub for global events,” he said, pointing to the recent G20 meetings in the state as a signal of its potential.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi is scheduled to visit West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh on May 29 and 30, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹70,000 crore.
