Jairam Hails Modi’s Leadership Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan

Shimla, May 9, 2025 — Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has strongly backed the Indian Army’s recent actions against Pakistan, calling them a “fitting reply” to the so-called “factory of terror.” In a statement issued from Shimla, Thakur praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and credited years of defence preparedness for the successful retaliatory strikes.

Thakur said that the Indian forces, under Modi’s guidance, responded to cross-border terrorism with full force, avenging past atrocities such as the Kandahar hijacking and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He lauded the targeted operation that eliminated key terrorist Rauf Azhar and his aides, stating that justice had finally been served to the masterminds behind heinous crimes.

Highlighting India’s defence modernization, Thakur pointed to the acquisition of Rafale jets and the S-400 air defence system, as well as India’s growing defence manufacturing capability including the Tejas fighter jets. He noted that these advances helped India neutralize hundreds of drones and missile threats, while crippling Pakistan’s defence systems.

He also emphasized India’s emergence as a major arms exporter, crossing ₹22,000 crore in defence exports, and commended Modi for his commitment to national security. “This is Modi’s India,” he said, “where those who spread terror will be destroyed — along with their enablers.”