India, May 22 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed his first public rally after the success of Operation Sindoor and recounted his 2019 pledge to protect the country at all costs: "Saugandh mujhe iss desh ki mitti ki, mein desh nahi mitne dunga, mein desh nahi Jhukne dunga" (I swear by the soil of this country - I will not let this nation perish, I will not let this nation bow down).

Addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Bikaner, Modi said the bravery of India's soldiers during the operation showed the world that India will not bow down to terrorism. Referring to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, the PM said, "Those bullets were fired in Pahalgam, but they pierced the hearts of 140 crore I...