New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his 79th Independence Day address from the Red Fort to outline major policy shifts and targets across sectors, from water management and national security to manufacturing and employment.
Delivering his twelfth consecutive Independence Day speech, he announced new schemes, set technological milestones, and signalled changes in both domestic and foreign policy.
Here are key highlights from his speech:
1. Indus Water Treaty Stand
“India has decided that blood and water can’t flow together,” PM Modi said, asserting that India’s rightful share will be secured for its farmers. He described the move as essential for both farmers’ rights and national interest.
2. Operation Sindoor and Cross-Border Strikes
Recalling Operation Sindoor, PM Modi said, “Our armed forces acted with a free hand to strike inside enemy territory, dismantling terrorist bases.” He warned that future cross-border attacks would be met with decisive responses.
3. High-Powered Demography Mission
Calling demographic manipulation a “dangerous conspiracy”, he announced the High-Powered Demography Mission to monitor and counter illegal infiltration, saying it posed threats to national security and social harmony.
4. Indigenous Fighter Jet Engine Goal
PM Modi urged scientists and youth to take up the challenge of developing India’s first indigenous fighter jet engine, saying, “We have achieved success in vaccines and digital payments; we can do the same in defence technology.”
5. Mission Sudarshan Chakra
Linking the initiative to strategic autonomy, he said, “Under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, we will neutralise enemy defences and strengthen our offensive capabilities.”
6. Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana
Announcing the Rs 1 lakh crore employment-linked incentive scheme, he said, “We aim to create 1 crore new jobs. First-time employees will get direct financial support, and employers will receive incentives for sustained hiring.”
7. First Domestic Semiconductor Chip
“By the end of this year, India’s first domestically made semiconductor chip will be ready,” PM Modi said, calling it a long-delayed but crucial entry into the global high-tech supply chain.
8. GST Reform Plans
He promised that by Diwali, “next-generation GST reforms will bring lower taxes, simpler compliance, and faster refunds, especially for our MSMEs.”
9. Samudra Manthan Energy Mission
Announcing the deep-water exploration initiative, PM Modi said, “Under Samudra Manthan, we will search our oceans for oil and gas reserves and reduce our energy import dependence.”
10. Reform Task Force for $10 Trillion Economy
“We will set up a Reform Task Force to review outdated laws, reduce compliance costs, and streamline procedures for startups and MSMEs, so that we can build a $10 trillion economy by 2047,” PM Modi said.
