New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first address to the nation after US President Donald Trump said he had brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, said that India had inflicted so much damage on Pakistan’s air bases and military establishments that its DGMO, on the afternoon of May 10, called up his Indian counterpart to ensure the Indian military would not take further action.Modi also said that no “nuclear blackmail will be tolerated anymore” and reiterated his government’s stated policy that “talks and terror cannot go hand in hand”.Modi’s statement was a departure from what US President Donald Trump and US secretary of state Marco Rubio had said – that talks would take place between India and Pakistan “at a neutral location” following the ceasefire announcement.Modi said that India’s biggest success in the four-day long military standoff was the attack on two of Pakistan’s top most terror hubs – Bahawalpur and Muridke.On May 7, India conducted military strikes on nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack last month in which 26 civilians were killed. Codenamed Operation Sindoor, India’s strikes saw a tense military standoff with Pakistan that stretched over four days and included missile and drone attacks, besides the use of the air force. On the evening of May 10, a ceasefire was agreed upon between the two countries, which was first announced by Trump. Modi’s remarks on Monday were the first following Operation Sindoor as well as the four-day long military standoff.“Such were Pakistan’s losses and sufferings that it pleaded with us, saying that it will not take any further action,” said Modi.Modi emphasised that India has only temporarily stalled operations against Pakistan.“We will weigh out our options, going forward, after watching Pakistan for a few days,” he said.“Our army, Air Force and Navy are on high alert and will remain so. Op Sindoor has set India’s new standard, it is the new normal in our fight against terrorism,” he said.Modi said that Pakistan’s bid to sponsor terror will one day “finish Pakistan itself”.“This era is not to support wars but this era is also not for terrorism. Pakistan sponsoring of terrorism will one day finish Pakistan itself. If it has to save itself, it has to clean up it’s terror infrastructure.”“Instead of supporting us on our fight against terrorism, Pakistan began to target our schools, hospitals, and armed forces stations,” he said, accusing Pakistan state of not only “sponsoring terrorism but also protecting terrorists.”Modi’s address came after a large section of his supporters registered strong protests, both online and offline, against the ceasefire announcement. Such was the anger among his supporters that even the foreign secretary Vikram Misri, who fronted the government briefings – providing details of Operation Sindoor through the four-day long standoff – was virulently trolled, to the effect that Misri had to make his X handle private.While Trump and US secretary of state Marco Rubio had said that talks would now take place between India and Pakistan at a neutral location – a departure from the BJP-led government’s stated policy of “terror and talks cannot go hand in hand” – Modi sought to repudiate this claim.“Terror and talks can’t coexist, Modi said, adding that terror and trade, “like water and blood,” can’t flow together.“If we engage Pakistan in talks, we will talk only about terrorism. and about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. No nuclear blackmail will be tolerated anymore. We will show our strengths whenever necessary and India did exactly that in the last few days,” he said.In contrast to Modi’s tone, which suggested the standoff remained live, the Army’s statement today noted that talks between DGsMO of the two nations were held at 5 pm and “issues related to continuing the commitment that both sides must not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive and inimical action against each other were discussed.” The Army noted that it was also agreed by both sides that they will consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from the borders and forward areas.Incidentally, while Modi was speaking, US president Donald Trump said that he had told India and Pakistan that the US will not be engaging in trade with either country unless the escalation stops. He also claimed to have stopped nuclear conflict.