Today is an extremely significant day in the war against terrorism. This is India’s war—India’s war against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism—in which today, India has destroyed four key Pakistani air bases. Alongside that, India has taken another major step, and this one is extremely important. Today, top sources in the Indian government revealed to Aaj Tak that India has decided to treat any future terrorist attack on its soil as an act of war against India, setting a global precedent.
Yes, this is the biggest news of the moment, and we are bringing it to you first from the battlefield. India will now treat any terrorist attack as an act of war against the nation and its citizens. As stated by insiders, the Indian government has made a decision to regard such actions as acts of war.
Sources in the Indian government say that whoever is spreading terrorism against India is essentially waging war against India. A strong nation has taken a very strong decision. Aaj Tak correspondent Himanshu Mishra joins us now with the latest updates. India is taking robust measures both on the ground and in the air, and the government has reached a definitive conclusion. Himanshu, could you clarify? Any terrorist attack on India will henceforth be treated as an act of war.
Pakistan must understand this without ambiguity—India has taken this decision, and from this point forward, every terrorist attack will invite a war-level response.
India has made it clear: the terrorist attacks that target India come from Pakistani soil. The masterminds are there, the training camps are there, and the launchpads are there. Having made that clear, India has stated it will consider any terrorist attack against it as a hostile act. Understand this well—if such an act occurs, India will respond in the same language used during wartime with an enemy.
Gaurav: You are absolutely right, Himanshu, and this is a very bold decision. The big question is: why did no government take such a decision before? Why has no government done this before, even though for decades Indian citizens have shed blood due to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism? This is a major decision by the Narendra Modi government, and now we await the official announcement that if terrorism is carried out against India, it will be treated as an act of war. But what are the legal implications of this? Because this is not just a political statement—there is serious thinking behind it.
Joining us now is our colleague Nalini. Nalini, explain to our viewers the legal meaning of this decision taken by the Indian government as reported by our sources. If India says that terrorism against India is now war against India, what does that mean legally?
Nalini: Yes, Gaurav, you’re right. This is a huge declaration from the Indian government. If we understand the United Nations Charter, it prohibits the use of force by one country against another without proper sanction. But there are a few exceptions where such force is justified—most notably, in the case of self-defence. When a country needs to take action against another country to protect itself, that’s when the use of force becomes justified.
India is indicating that any terrorist assault originating from Pakistan will be viewed as a hostile act. That means India will have the right to take any military action against Pakistan in self-defense. Until now, India had been responding with great restraint and caution to Pakistan’s attacks, but this new declaration changes the rules. If such a terrorist act happens again, India can take any step needed to protect its sovereignty.
This means that if Pakistan commits any act of terrorism that impacts India’s civilian population or military targets, India will no longer give a proportional response. The government will do whatever it takes to protect the nation, which could involve using the military, as it views any assault as a declaration of war.
Gaurav: So, it can be understood that the Narendra Modi government has now declared war against the terrorism that has bled India for decades. Just as India has taken action recently, this is India’s formal declaration of war against that terrorism.
Nalini: Yes Gaurav, absolutely. Until now, India had been responding very proportionately to all of Pakistan’s attacks. In press briefings held by the Defence and External Affairs Ministries, officials emphasised that Pakistan was attacking civilian zones, while India had accurately pinpointed and engaged solely military objectives, prioritising civilian protection.
On the other hand, Pakistan is using its civilian population and aircraft as shields while continuing its drone attacks on India. But now, India has made it clear: no more tolerance for attacks on Indian civilians. Any future act of terror impacting Indian civilians or military targets will no longer receive a restrained response. Instead, India will do whatever is necessary in self-defence. Going forward, India will consider any further terrorist attacks originating from Pakistan to be acts of war. As such, India maintains the right, in accordance with international law, to respond, whether through military or strategic means, as deemed appropriate.
