India missing Rafale jets now: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said his five-year reign has struck fear among anti-India elements, terrorist leaders, corrupt politicians and absconder businessmen, which is a “good thing”.

“The unity among 125 crore Indians has struck fear in anti-India forces both within and outside the country. Going by the kind of atmosphere we live in today, I would say that such fear is good,” Modi said at India Today Conclave here.

“When our enemies fear the valour of the nation, I would say such fear is good. When terrorist leaders fear our armed forces, I would say such fear is good. When absconders fear their property would be attached by the government, such fear is good,” Modi said in an apparent reference to the air strikes on Pakistan and action against fugitive businessmen Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi.

“When utterances of an 'uncle' (mama) unsettles prominent families, then such fear is good,” the prime minister said in an apparent reference to the trial of Christian Michel in the UPA-era VVIP chopper acquisition case.

'Fear is good...'

“When corrupt politicians also fear going to jail, I would say such fear is good. When the corrupt fear the law, such fear is good,” Modi said.

At the outset, he asked the audience whether they had witnessed the impact of India's foreign policy, referring to the air strikes on Pakistan and the subsequent return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

“Today, you are witnessing a new India. For us, the blood of each of our brave soldiers is priceless. Now, nobody can try to look at India in the eye,” Modi said.

Modi also took on the Opposition on the issue of air strikes saying while the entire world stood behind India in its fight against terror, some parties in the country were questioning it.

Don't aid terror

He also hit out at his detractors saying they were free to criticise him but their anti-Modi tirade should not help terrorists like Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed.

The Prime Minister also said that the armed forces direly missed the Rafale fighter jets during the strikes. “Today, entire India is saying in one voice, what could have happened if we had the Rafale jets,” he said.

Modi said first the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets was delayed because of “selfish policies” and now the nation was suffering because of politics over the purchase of the aircraft.