Decoding the strong message in PM Modi's Adampur airbase visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited Adampur in Punjab.

Modi’s visit to the Adampur airbase a day after he made a speech to the nation on Operation Sindoor.

“We are not here to maintain old red lines. We are here to draw new ones,” Modi said.

“If there is another attack on Indian soil, we will strike at the roots. India will not accept nuclear blackmail. We will not make a distinction between a government that sponsors terror and the terrorists themselves,” he added.

India and Pakistan agreed on May 10 to stop military actions.

India has, however, insisted that it has merely paused its operation and its future actions will be guided by Pakistan’s conduct.

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But what do we know about the visit? Why was it significant?

Let’s take a closer look

What do we know?

Modi during the visit interacted with Indian Air Force personnel who participated in Operation Sindoor.

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“PM Modi went to the Adampur airbase early morning. He was briefed by Air Force personnel and he also interacted with our brave jawans,” a source said.

Modi later wrote on X, “Earlier this morning, I went to AFS Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation.”

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Modi also posted a picture of himself at the Adampur with a message on the wall behind him reading, “Why Enemy Pilots Don’t Sleep Well”

Adampur airbase and its significance

Adampur, located near Jalandhar, is India’s second biggest airbase.

Around 100, kilometres from the border, it has played a critical role in earlier conflicts with Pakistan – particularly during the 1965 war.

As per India Today, Adampur was the only base Pakistan could not penetrate during the conflict five decades ago.

Modi’s visit gains significance in light of the fact that Pakistan had targeted the Adampur with a missile on May 9 in response to Indian airstrikes – which New Delhi saw as a dangerous escalation.

As per News18, after Pakistan targeted this airbase, India responded by launching strikes on at least eight Pakistan Air Force bases.

Islamabad had claimed that it damaged the Adampur base – a claim which Modi’s visit has clearly debunked.

MiG-29 and S-400

Modi was also photographed with MiG-29 fighter jet and the S-400 Triumf system in the backdrop – both of which played important roles during Operation Sindoor.

Pakistan had also claimed that it destroyed the S-400 Triumf system at Adampur during its attack on India – which New Delhi had unequivocally rejected.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had earlier said, “Pakistan has also attempted to execute a continued malicious misinformation campaign, with claims of destruction of the Indian S-400 system, destruction of airfields at Surat and Sirsa… India unequivocally rejects these false claims being spread by Pakistan.”

The latter, nicknamed by Indian officials as the ‘Sudarshana Chakra’, was responsible for shooting down many of Pakistan’s drones and missiles and keeping India in control of its airspace.

The S-400, a long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, is made by Russia.

It is considered among the best air defence systems in the world.

According to the outlet, the presence of the S-400 in the background of Modi’s visit was also a reminder that India purchased the system from Russia despite objections and threats of sanctions from the US.

Modi during his visit also reiterated his remarks on Monday.

“Our ‘Lakshman Rekha’ for Pakistan is very clear; any terror attack will be met with a definitive reply on our own conditions,” Modi said, as per Moneycontrol.

Message to Trump

According to Moneycontrol, the visit also seemingly sent a message to US President Donald Trump.

Trump, who had broken the news of the ceasefire on social media on Saturday, has been eager to take credit for the development.

However, India has insisted that it was a deal between two parties and that no third party was involved.

“The subtext was clear: it was India’s soldiers and weaponry — not third-party mediation — that proved decisive in the conflict,’ the Moneycontrol piece noted.

Spirit of armed forces

The piece also added that the visit was a reminder of the upbeat spirit of the Indian Armed Forces.

“The roaring chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ throughout PM Modi’s address, his proud interactions with airmen, and the charged atmosphere — all of this signaled a state of high preparedness and projected an image of national pride and glory,” the piece stated.

“Moreover, Modi’s hat featured a “trishul” — the spear symbolizing Shiva’s power to destroy evil, ignorance and ego. That itself was a clear message of India’s unwavering resolve to any counter aggression,” it concluded.

With inputs from agencies