Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said terrorism was not a proxy war but a deliberate war strategy adopted by Pakistan, and India will respond to it accordingly. Refusing to make any distinction between non-state and state actors in Pakistan, Modi said the neighbouring country is engaging in war by continuing to support terrorism.

“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) is our sanskar (value imbibed through tradition), we want happiness for our neighbours, too, but if you challenge our strength, then India is also a land of heroes,” Modi said, speaking at an urban development programme of the Gujarat government here. “We can not call this a proxy war, as those who were killed (during Operation Sindoor) were given state honours in Pakistan... This proves that these terrorist activities are not just a proxy war, this is a deliberate war strategy on their part,” the prime minister said.