Balakot air strike: Never thought about my political future, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that he was able to take the decision to order the Balakot air strikes because he had faith in the country defence forces. Modi was speaking at Delhi's Talkatora stadium at a "Main Bhi Chowkidar" event. 

After his opening speech, Modi took questions from his audience in Delhi and around the country (via video link). 

The second question asked of Modi had been about Balakot.

His questioner asked him how he had been able to take the decision to carry out an air strike on enemy territory and, while reaching that decision, had he ever thought about his political future? What if something had gone wrong? 

Modi answered that he was able to take the decision because he had faith in the country's defence forces. And that he knew they would never do anything to shame the country. 

"I had faith in their discipline," Modi said. 

He added that the country's security forces fight terrorists every day. "Switch on the TV, and you will see," Modi said. 

"Where do the terrorists come from?" Modi asked. "Everybody knows. 

"They came to Mumbai, they came to Uri... 

"Where is the remote control? Everybody knows." 

But Modi said, he asked himself "How long will this go on for?" 

And that that was when he decided that "this game" would be played where the remote control is, not on Indian territory.  

Modi added that the air strike had been carried out by country's jawans, not by him, and that he saluted them. 

As for his political future, Modi said that if he had thought about that — "there would never have been a Modi".

The next question asked of Modi had been about corruption. 

"The people who have looted the country, will have to return every paisa," Modi said. 

"I promise you, I will do this job," he added.