Modi, who faces a general election in a matter of months, told a rally of supporters via video-link, said India would unite against its enemies and that “the world is observing our collective will.”
The U.S., China and other world powers have urged restraint from the two nations as tensions escalate following tit-for-tat airstrikes in the wake of a suicide car bombing that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police in Indian-controlled Kashmir on February 14.
Both countries downed enemy jets on Wednesday (February 27), and each accused the other of breaching cease fire agreements on Thursday.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars since independence from British colonial rule in 1947, two over Kashmir, and went to the brink of a fourth in 2002 after a Pakistani militant attack on India’s parliament.
(Production: Helen Wright)