Modi targets Pakistan amid election fervor in India.

In an interview with India TV amid the ongoing electoral process to determine the country's next government, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the subject of his visit to Pakistan in 2015, portraying it as a personal exploration of Pakistan's capabilities. His remarks came in response to criticism from Mani Shankar Aiyar, a former federal minister of the rival Congress party, who had suggested that India should "respect" Pakistan as a nuclear-armed nation.

Modi recounted the circumstances of his unexpected stopover in Lahore in 2015, a year after assuming office as prime minister, emphasizing a conversation with a Pakistani journalist who questioned how he could enter Lahore without a visa. Modi's response reflected on the shared history of India and Pakistan, which traces back to their partition in 1947.

This visit to Lahore occurred during Modi's return journey from Kabul, Afghanistan, and involved meetings with his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, along with other high-level officials. However, tensions between the two neighboring nations have persisted, particularly since 2019, marked by a terrorist attack in Pulwama, Kashmir, and subsequent military escalations.

In addition to addressing his visit to Pakistan, Modi also responded to allegations suggesting India's involvement in targeted assassinations within Pakistan. He acknowledged the concerns expressed by the Pakistani populace, attributing them to his own actions. Furthermore, he criticized certain factions within India for voicing similar concerns, insinuating sympathy for Pakistan and implying alignment with its interests, particularly directed at the opposition, notably the Congress party.

Modi's remarks are embedded within a broader political discourse, with him accusing the Congress party of being sympathetic to Pakistan and hinting at a purported desire from Pakistan for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to ascend to the position of India's prime minister. These comments come against the backdrop of Modi's pursuit of a third term as prime minister, with India currently undergoing a multi-phase electoral process, the results of which are anticipated on June 4.