Modi also pitched a vision of national unity and progress in his third annual address from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Old Delhi that, at 94 minutes, was the longest delivered by the 65-year-old leader.
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Yet it was a broadside against Pakistan, the arch-rival also born out of independence from Britain and partition, that left the strongest impression in a speech that otherwise focussed on his government’s achievements. What kind of people glorify terrorists? “Our government is planning to open museums all over the country to glorify their role so that future generations can know about their sacrifices”, Modi said. “I am grateful to them”, Modi said, referring to his comments last week on excesses in Pakistan’s largest province and in the Kashmir it holds.
In a first for any Prime Minister, Modi referred to Pakistani human rights abuses in both Balochistan and the part of Kashmir it controls. No further details were immediately available and there was no claim of responsibility. Two militants were killed in the ensuing shootout, police said.
Separately, the Indian Army said it had foiled an attempt to infiltrate two militants from Pakistan into India.
Kashmir has witnessed violent protests since the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani with 54 people killed and several thousand wounded in clashes with security forces.
India’s sharp reaction came after it received a note verbal from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Friday proposing to send supplies to Jammu and Kashmir. The two men were killed in the Uri sector of the de facto border between the neighbouring countries in North Kashmir.
The tradition of delivering the annual address from the steps of the 17th-century Red Fort from where Mughal kings ruled Delhi for two centuries dates back to Jawaharlal Nehru’s historic “tryst with destiny” speech of 1947. People of Balochistan, Gilgit, Baltistan and occupied Kashmir have thanked me a lot in the past few days.
Jalali said till the time Pakistan does not curb terrorism, it is meaningless to resume talks with the estranged neighbour.
“Pension for our freedom fighters will be increased by 20 percent”.
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Modi mentioned about the pan-India Goods and Services (GST) tax regime that he said would strengthen the economy.
