So far there has been no return to actual fighting between India and Pakistan, but the rhetoric has escalated over the last 24 hours. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to Adampur airbase, one of the country’s premier bases which is about 80 miles from the Pakistani border, where India’s sophisticated Russian-made S-400 anti-missile system is installed. Modi made remarks with the S-400 visible in the background, putting a lie to the rumor that the Pakistanis had destroyed it in recent attacks:
“India’s Lakshman Rekha [red line] against terrorism is now crystal clear. India will respond strongly if hit by a terror attack and our response will be at a time of our choosing, on our conditions and in our way,” Modi stated. “The terror bosses now understand that if they even look at India, they’ll invite destruction. You [Indian military personnel] told the Pakistani army, whom the terrorists depend on, that there is no place in Pakistan where they can be safe…. Pakistan cannot match our capabilities built on cutting-edge technology,” he said, adding that “our armed forces take the wind out of nuclear blackmail.”
“We will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism,” Modi continued. “We will enter their dens and hit them without giving them an opportunity to survive.”
[Reuters reported](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-says-clashes-with-neighbour-india-killed-more-than-50-2025-05-13/] that the Pakistani government was quick to respond. The Foreign Ministry said Islamabad categorically rejects the “provocative and inflammatory assertions” made by Modi. “At a time when international efforts are being made for regional peace and stability, this statement represents a dangerous escalation,” it said in a statement. “Pakistan remains committed to the recent ceasefire understanding and taking necessary steps towards de-escalation and regional stability,” said the ministry, adding that any future aggression will also be met with full resolve.
