PM Modi puts off Europe tour after unleashing Operation Sindoor on Pakistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cancelled his upcoming trip to Europe, news agency PTI reported. The decision comes just hours after India launched a major military counter-strike on terrorist camps in Pakistan under ‘Operation Sindoor’. With tensions rising between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, the Prime Minister is expected to stay focused on national security and regional developments.

Modi was scheduled to visit Croatia, Norway, and The Netherlands from May 13 to 17. He was also expected to attend the Nordic Summit during his stop in Norway. However, the visit has now been called off. Officials say the three countries have already been informed about the change in plans. While no official reason was given for the cancellation, the timing suggests that the unfolding situation with Pakistan is the main concern.

This is not the only foreign trip the Prime Minister has cancelled recently. Earlier this week, the Kremlin confirmed that Modi will not attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9. The event marks 80 years since the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. India will now be represented by another official at the annual military parade in Red Square.

The decision to stay back comes after India carried out a large-scale, targeted strike against terror camps across the border. The action was in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the strike was necessary and carefully planned. He described it as "measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible."

According to Misri, India had strong intelligence that more attacks were being planned by Pakistan-based groups. He also said that Pakistan had taken no visible action against the terror infrastructure on its soil, leaving India with no choice but to act.

Under Operation Sindoor, the Indian military used missiles and drones to hit nine identified terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The move marks one of India’s strongest responses to cross-border terrorism in recent years.