Following a clash with Pakistan earlier this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to treat any future attacks on civilians as an "act of war.” That has dramatically raised the stakes for any retaliation to Monday’s deadly explosion in New Delhi.

Two days after a blast that killed at least eight people near the historic Red Fort, officials declared it a "terrorist incident.” The response has been measured so far, with no mention of Pakistan’s involvement.

Modi’s red line set in May, which lowered the threshold for retaliation against any future terror attack on Indian soil, means the prime minister will be pressured to act with force if investigators link the incident to Pakistan.