Indian leader cranks up security rhetoric while avoiding economic issues.

As India's 39-day general election enters its final phases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ramping up rhetoric around national security in his high-octane campaigns and brushing aside doubts over the credibility of the government's economic data.

"This chowkidar (watchman) will serve you round the clock," Modi said on Wednesday, addressing a huge rally of supporters for his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi's neighboring Haryana state and referring to himself as the watchman of the country.

"In the past five years, a stable [BJP-led National Democratic Alliance] government has empowered the armed forces who now enter militant bases in Pakistan to kill terrorists," he said to the enthusiastic crowd.

Nationalist sentiments have been running high among voters since the February attack, with Modi seen as a strong leader capable of defending the country against longtime foes like Pakistan. The main opposition, Indian National Congress, has criticized the Modi government for cashing in on these sentiments and also claiming sole credit for the security council's move given that India has been trying to get Azhar blacklisted for about a decade.

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