Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that terror can never be a strategic asset for any nation, emphasizing that its very existence undermines the rule of law and the safety of citizens. Speaking in a nationally televised address, Modi outlined a three‑pronged approach to neutralise the threat: cutting off financial streams, halting recruitment pipelines, and eliminating safe havens where extremist groups operate.
The call to dismantle terror financing targets both domestic and cross‑border channels that move money to militant outfits. Modi highlighted the need for stricter monitoring of charitable donations, informal money‑transfer systems, and illicit trade that often fund extremist activities. He urged law‑enforcement agencies to coordinate with financial regulators to trace and freeze assets linked to terror networks.
Recruitment, according to the prime minister, thrives on ideological propaganda and exploitation of vulnerable populations. Modi urged the government to intensify counter‑radicalisation programmes, enhance community outreach, and strengthen legal provisions that penalise those who actively recruit for violent causes. He also called for greater vigilance in educational institutions and online platforms where extremist narratives proliferate.
Safe havens, whether in remote border regions or urban enclaves, provide logistical support and sanctuary to terror operatives. Modi demanded that security forces intensify surveillance, conduct targeted operations, and work with neighbouring countries to close these loopholes. He warned that any tolerance of such spaces compromises national security and regional stability.
In a broader geopolitical context, Modi cautioned that infrastructure and connectivity projects—ranging from road corridors to digital networks—must be pursued with full respect for India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He warned against any external attempts to leverage such projects for strategic advantage, reiterating that development should never become a conduit for hostile activities.
