Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes 25 uninterrupted years in public executive office on October 7, marking a political journey that has also seen a significant shift in India’s approach to counter-terrorism, from strategic restraint to direct and punitive action against terror networks across borders. His quarter-century in executive office, spanning 12.5 years as Gujarat Chief Minister and more than a decade as Prime Minister, has been marked by a strong focus on national security, intelligence gathering, police modernisation and a tougher response to terrorism.
The foundations of Modi’s security approach were laid during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister. As the head of a state with a strategically important coastline and an international border, he placed considerable emphasis on strengthening maritime and land security.
Instead of relying primarily on diplomatic protests after attacks, the government increasingly stressed that those behind terrorism would face direct consequences. In response, the Modi government authorised the Indian Army to conduct surgical strikes across the Line of Control. The response had to be forceful, but it also needed to be carefully planned, with an element of surprise as Pakistan prepared for possible Indian military action.
One of the first major security challenges of his tenure came with the Akshardham temple attack in Gandhinagar on September 24, 2002. When Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, his government signalled that India would adopt a more muscular response to terrorism. Terrorists stormed an Army camp in Uri, killing 19 Indian soldiers.
Officials familiar with strategic policymaking said the administration under Modi, first in Gujarat and later at the Centre, focused on improving intelligence capabilities, modernising the police force and pushing for stronger legal measures to deal with terrorism. Officials said Modi quickly recognised the seriousness of the situation and sought to avoid bureaucratic delays in the response. Officials said the team subsequently helped crack the Indian Mujahideen’s logistics network across the country within a month. The government faced a difficult balancing act, according to officials.
