PM Modi makes rare switch to English to ensure the world hears India's stern warning to terrorists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who mostly speaks in Hindi at public events, made a rare switch to English during a speech in Bihar’s Madhubani on Thursday. This shift was made to ensure that his message against terrorism reached a global audience clearly and powerfully.

Addressing the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 Indian citizens were killed, PM Modi said, "India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth."

#WATCH | On Pahalgam terror attack, PM Modi says, "Today, on the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world, India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism.… pic.twitter.com/8SPHOAJIi2

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025

While delivering his speech in Hindi, Modi changed to English when speaking about India's stand on terrorism. Each word was carefully spoken to underline the seriousness of India’s response.

He added, "India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve."

This was his first public reaction to the Pahalgam massacre that took place on 22 April.

In Madhubani, where Maithili and Hindi are widely spoken, PM Modi also expressed gratitude to global leaders for their support. "Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank people and leaders of countries who have stood with us," he said.

Modi’s switch to English at this moment was no coincidence. It was a strategic move to ensure the international community fully understood India’s position and seriousness on tackling terrorism.

Although he usually uses Hindi in public addresses, Modi often mixes in English or regional languages to connect with different audiences. From Malayalam and Tamil to Odia and Bengali, he’s known to personalise his speeches with local touches.

Thursday’s speech was another example of how Modi uses language as a tool to strengthen his message. By choosing English at a key point, he made sure India’s voice was heard loud and clear across the world.