Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his longest-ever Independence Day address lasting 103 minutes, called for a “Samriddh Bharat” powered by self-reliance in sectors ranging from fighter jet engines to electric vehicles, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. Speaking from the Red Fort on Friday, he warned that “economic selfishness” is rising globally and India must “draw a bigger line” to secure its future.
Modi announced a series of initiatives, including a task force for next-generation reforms, GST changes aimed at a “double Diwali” through tax relief, a national deep-water exploration mission to boost energy independence, and the indigenous “Sudarshan Chakra” defence system by 2035. He urged the nation to channel the same collective resolve that won independence into building a prosperous, self-reliant India.
“The generation before us sacrificed for ‘Swatantra Bharat’; this generation must dedicate itself to ‘Samriddh Bharat’,” he said, stressing that self-reliance is a national—not political—agenda. He also flagged infiltration as a major threat to unity and security, accusing infiltrators of taking jobs, seizing tribal lands, and luring young women. “It will not be tolerated,” he warned, announcing a high-powered mission to tackle the issue.
The prime minister also praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for its service and discipline, calling it possibly the world’s largest NGO. On constitutional values, he urged citizens to remember the “sins” of the 1975 Emergency, which he said “murdered” democracy.
Highlighting progress in critical industries, Modi noted that India’s semiconductor ambitions, stalled for decades, are now becoming reality, with domestic production set to begin soon. On national security, he reiterated India’s firm stance against Pakistan, declaring that terrorists and their backers will face the same fate, and the armed forces will determine responses to any provocation. “India will no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail,” he said.
