Over 103 minutes of exhortation – the longest on record by any Prime Minister in independent India – Narendra Modi used his 12th Independence Day address to urge citizens to make a decisive shift towards swadeshi (local) products, framing it as a shield against global supply chain disruptions, tariff wars, and shifting geopolitical alliances, according to Mint report.
Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th anniversary of India’s independence, Modi outlined a roadmap that tied together increased domestic manufacturing, sweeping indirect tax reforms, and a strengthened national security architecture under the Sudarshan Chakra mission, as he looked to deliver a strong response to several challenges the country has been facing in recent months.
“If the sacrifices of crores of people can lead to an independent India, then the decisiveness, self-reliance, and choice of swadeshi products can lead to a prosperous India,” the Prime Minister said, urging traders to prominently display and market locally made products.
Modi’s address, reflecting themes of ‘New India’ and ‘Nation First’, also included measures to improve ease of doing business, along with plans to curb illegal immigration.
Self-reliance was essential to insulating the economy from external disruptions, Modi said. “Self-reliance is not just about exports, imports, the rupee, or the dollar. It is about our capabilities, our strength to stand on our own,” Modi said. “The ‘daam kam, dum zyada’ mantra projects India’s resolve to compete globally while insulating its economy from external shocks,” said Ajay Sahai, director-general of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).
The PM’s address comes in the backdrop of several geopolitical challenges – including punitive 50% tariffs announced by the US on Indian exports to that country for continuing to buy Russian oil, a standoff in India’s trade deal talks with the US, and China’s restrictions on exports of critical raw materials for Indian manufacturing, among others.
GST Review: In a parallel, significant move to revive slack domestic consumption, Modi said the central government is working with states to reform the goods and services tax (GST) and bring significant relief to people. “In this Deepavali, you will be getting a double Deepavali,” he said. Noting that GST has lowered the tax burden nationwide, he said it was now time for a review after eight years.
A high-powered committee has reviewed the GST regime and the central government has consulted states, the Prime Minister said. “We are bringing the next generation of GST reforms. This will be a gift to you. By this Deepavali, tax will be reduced in the case of commonly used items in a big way. It will also benefit small businesses. With that, the economy will also benefit,” Modi said.
Meanwhile, a finance ministry statement on Friday said that the GST reform will include the removal of two GST slabs, correction of inverted duty structures to align input and output tax rates, streamline rate structures, minimise disputes, and reduce the compliance burden.
The reforms will also include rate rationalisation to make household items more affordable to boost consumption. That means the GST regime is set to have only two slabs – standard and merit – with only a few items under special rates, the finance ministry statement said.
The GST move follows a significant personal income tax relief to individuals in this year’s Union budget, and the RBI lowering the benchmark repo rate by 100 basis points so far this year to stimulate economic growth.
Observers expressed optimism that by Diwali, items of mass consumption by the common man will be brought into the lower slab of 5% GST.
It was also expected that with the review, GST on parts of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, now 28%, should be reduced to 18%, removing inverted duty structure and corresponding inefficiencies in the GST System.
Push for local manufacturing: Even while expressing his desire to see an indigenous engine on an Indian fighter jet, Modi called for greater investment in domestic manufacturing to withstand global supply chain shocks and tariff disputes, and stressed the importance of ensuring a robust flow of raw materials for the manufacturing sector. He called for increased research and development funding, semiconductor chips made in India, as well as local electric vehicle batteries. Modi also said India would bolster private sector investments in new energy sectors such as nuclear energy generation.
Tightening national security: In his address, Modi unveiled a new national security strategy under the Sudarshan Chakra mission to create a security shield against national security threats. With rapid advancements in defence technology, India needs to widen its security response after the recent victory in Operation Sindoor, the PM said. Operation Sindoor, where Indian forces attacked and destroyed terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was India’s response against the 22 April Pahalgam terrorist attack, which left 26 individuals dead.
The PM reiterated that India will not be bullied by nuclear threats, and not distinguish between terrorists and terrorist-sponsoring governments.
Demographic challenge: Modi also announced measures to guard against demographic shifts in India caused by illegal immigration. “The demography of the country is being changed by a planned conspiracy. Illegal immigrants are stealing Indian livelihoods, targeting Indian women. This will not be tolerated,” said Modi. He added that illegal immigrants are also capturing tribal land.
Changing demographics, especially in border regions, is a threat to national security and unity and peace in the country, said Modi.
PM Modi also continued his drive against reducing obesity in the country. He has previously spoken about the issue in his Mann Ki Baat addresses. Mint reported on Friday that India is planning to further reduce sugar in baby food.
Modi breaks Indira’s record with 12 consecutive I-Day speeches
New Delhi, Aug 15 (Agencies): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday broke Indira Gandhi’s record by delivering 12 consecutive speeches from the ramparts of Red Fort to stand next only to Jawaharlal Nehru who delivered 17 Independence Day addresses in a row.
Indira Gandhi held the office between January 1966 and March 1977, and then between January 1980 till her assassination in October 1984. In total, she delivered 16 addresses as prime minister on August 15 with 11 of them being consecutive.
Nehru, India’s longest-serving prime minister (1947-63), addressed the nation 17 times from the Red Fort. India’s second prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri delivered speeches from the Red Fort ramparts for two Independence Days in 1964 and 1965.