NEW DELHI, August 15 — Standing tall on the historic ramparts of New Delhi’s Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a passionate Independence Day speech that blended pride, urgency, and a vision for India’s future.
As military helicopters roared overhead, showering flower petals on the crowd, Modi’s message was clear — India must break free from dependency on others, especially in energy and defence. “Self-reliance is the foundation of a developed India,” he declared. “Freedom becomes meaningless if someone becomes too dependent on others.”
The speech came at a delicate moment for India, with the United States threatening to double tariffs on Indian imports — from 25% to 50% — if New Delhi doesn’t reduce its purchases of Russian oil. The issue has become a diplomatic tightrope, as India has maintained that it is ready to support global peace efforts and backs a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
“We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs,” Modi acknowledged, “but to build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence.”
A Call to Innovators and Defenders
Modi’s vision wasn’t limited to energy. He urged India’s scientists, engineers, and defence experts to lead the charge in developing cutting-edge technologies — from fighter jet engines to semiconductor chips. “We will have India-made semiconductor chips in the market by the year’s end,” he promised.
In a striking announcement, Modi revealed India’s ambitions to build its own space station and create a “defence shield” within the next decade, signaling a bold step toward technological and strategic independence.
Strength in Defence and Resolve
Paying tribute to the armed forces, Modi recalled their courage during a brief but intense conflict with Pakistan earlier this year. He reinforced India’s firm stance on security and its suspension of the water-sharing treaty with Pakistan, stating, “India has decided that blood and water will not flow together.”
Without naming names, Modi addressed growing trade tensions, promising to “stand like a wall” against any policy that harms India’s farmers — a cornerstone of the nation’s economy. “When economic selfishness is rising day by day… we must not just sit and worry, but focus on our strengths,” he urged.
On this Independence Day, Modi’s words were more than ceremonial — they were a rallying cry for a nation of over a billion people to unite, innovate, and secure their future.