NEW DELHI, Aug 15 – Standing atop the historic Red Fort on India’s 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a passionate call for self-reliance — in both energy and defence — as the nation faces mounting global pressures, including the looming threat of doubled US import tariffs.
Addressing thousands gathered under a sky dotted with military helicopters showering petals, Modi declared, “Self-reliance is the foundation of a developed India. Freedom becomes meaningless if someone becomes too dependent on others.”
The Prime Minister’s speech comes at a delicate time. Washington has warned of increasing tariffs on Indian imports from 25% to 50% unless New Delhi stops purchasing Russian crude oil — a crucial revenue stream for Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict. Modi refrained from directly naming US President Donald Trump but vowed to “stand like a wall” against any move that could harm India’s farmers or its national interest.
India, already the world’s most populous nation and fifth-largest economy, still relies heavily on energy imports. Modi urged the country to break this dependency, stating, “To build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence.”
Beyond energy, Modi’s vision extends to technological and defence autonomy. He called on scientists and engineers to accelerate work on fighter jet engines, semiconductor chips, and military systems. He announced that India-made chips will enter the market by year’s end, and hinted at future projects — including a space station and a national defence shield within the next decade.
Touching on security, Modi honoured India’s armed forces for their recent four-day standoff with Pakistan, reiterating that “India will give a befitting reply to any misadventure by the enemy.” He underscored New Delhi’s hard stance on water-sharing agreements, saying, “Blood and water will not flow together.”
Closing his address, Modi stressed resilience in a world marked by rising “economic selfishness,” urging the nation to focus on its strengths rather than be paralyzed by challenges.
