Sindoor, Sudarshan Chakra, semiconductors: Takeaways from PM Modi’s I-Day speech

India is celebrating its 79th Independence Day today (August 15), with the goal of becoming ‘viksit’ by 2047. The country witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi deliver his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

From Operation Sindoor to India’s achievements in space and technology, the Indian leader spoke on a variety of subjects during his speech. He also issued a stern warning to Pakistan and sent a clear message to the United States.

With this, PM Modi gave his longest-ever Independence Day address for a total of 103 minutes. It was also the longest speech by any Prime Minister in India’s history.

Here are the key takeaways from PM Modi’s I-Day address.

Operation Sindoor

PM Modi on Friday talked about the success of Operation Sindoor that India launched in May against Pakistan, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 men, mostly tourists.

“I salute our brave soldiers who punished masters of terror beyond their imagination. After April 22, we gave armed forces free hand to respond to terrorists,” he said in his address to the nation on Independence Day.

He used the example of the military operation against Pakistan to underline the importance of his government’s aim of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, or self-reliant India.

“If we were not self-reliant, would we have been able to carry out Operation Sindoor with such swift speed? But, the power of Made in India was in the hands of our army, so without worry, without interruption, without hesitation, our army continued to demonstrate its valour.

“For the past 10 years, we have been consistently pursuing a mission of self-reliance in the defence sector, and its results are visible today,” PM Modi said.

Operation Sindoor is a major highlight of this year’s Independence Day, with the view cutter at Gyanpath featuring the Operation Sindoor logo. Floral decorations also had the same theme. Invitation cards exhibited the Operation Sindoor logo and a watermark of the Chenab Bridge, showcasing the rise of ‘Naya Bharat’, the theme for this year’s Independence Day celebrations.

Semiconductors to space: Making India self-reliant

Emphasing the importance of self-reliance, PM Modi said being dependent raises questions about a nation’s independence. “Even today, a nation’s true pride lies in self-reliance, and that is the foundation of Viksit Bharat.”

“Dependence on others raises questions about a nation’s independence. It is unfortunate when dependence becomes a habit, a dangerous one,” he warned.

“That’s why we must remain aware and committed to becoming self-reliant. 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,” PM Modi said in his I-Day speech.

In a big development, he announced that the first made-in-India semiconductor chip will be launched in the market by the end of this year. “The 21st century is technology-driven; it shows that countries that excelled in tech have achieved success.”

“We are working in mission mode in the semiconductor sector, made-in-India chips will hit markets by the end of this year.”

“We have decided to make India self-reliant in energy, taking several initiatives in solar, hydrogen, and nuclear sectors,” he added. PM Modi said that India’s nuclear energy will increase by “ten times” in 2047, adding that private companies will now be allowed in the sector.

He also said that India is working towards becoming self-reliant in the space sector.

Modi congratulated Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his recent mission to space, during which he spent 18 days on the International Space Station (ISS).

“The nation is proud of our space sector, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is back from the space station… in the days to come he will return to India,” the PM announced.

Modi stated that India is preparing for the launch of Gaganyaan, the country’s flagship human spaceflight programme. “We are making efforts to build our own space station … 300 startups are working only in the space sector now.”

During his speech, PM Modi called on India’s youth to develop India’s own social media platforms. He also appealed to the youth and government departments to “produce Made-in-India jet engines for our fighter aircraft.”

He told the nation that India is on track to launch its deepwater mission soon. “We are now also heading towards ‘Samudra Manthan’. Taking this forward, we aim to operate in Mission Mode to explore the oil and gas reserves in the sea. So, India is about to launch the National Deep Water Exploration Mission,” PM Modi declared.

Messages for Pakistan, US

PM Modi delivered a stern warning to Pakistan, saying India will not tolerate the neighbouring country’s nuclear blackmail .

He also outlined India’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty, which New Delhi suspended after the Pahalgam attack, and said that blood and water cannot flow together. According to the Indian leader, the decades-old pact with Pakistan caused major harm to agriculture in India.

“The people have come to realise that the Indus Waters Treaty is unjust. Water from the Indus River system has been irrigating the lands of the enemy, while our farmers have suffered,” he said.

“What kind of agreement is this that has caused such immense loss to our farmers for the past seven decades?” Modi added.

Amid repeated warnings from Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir over the Indus Waters Treaty, the PM said: “India has decided that it will not tolerate nuclear threats anymore; we won’t fall for any blackmail.”

In a signal to the US, PM Modi said India will not compromise on the interests of its farmers. “The farmers of India are our biggest priority. Modi stands like a wall against any harmful policy related to them. India will not accept any agreement regarding its farmers, cattle rearers and fishermen.”

The US has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, even as New Delhi and Washington negotiate a trade deal. American President Donald Trump has also announced an additional 25 per cent levy on India for buying Russian crude oil.

The trade talks have hit a stalemate over India’s reluctance to open its market to US agriculture and dairy products.

Without taking Trump’s name, Modi called out “economic selfishness” and stressed the need for a stronger “vocal for local” drive to ramp up self-reliance.

“I want traders who advertise their goods with the pride of Swadeshi,” he said. “Daam kam, dum zyada should be the motto of our products. Today, all 140 crore Indians must have only one mantra — a prosperous India.”

Mission Sudarshan Chakra

Defence was a big part of PM Modi’s speech on this year’s Independence Day. He spoke about Mission Sudarshan Chakra, which is aimed at enhancing the country’s security by developing a more powerful weapons system.

Modi said, “We have chosen the path of Lord Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra. India is launching ‘Sudarshan Chakra Mission’… a powerful weapon system that will not only neutralise the enemy’s attack but also strike back.”

He added, “India to launch Mission Sudarshan Chakra to create powerful weapon system to thwart any attempt by enemies to attack us. All public places will be covered by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035.”

PM Modi’s many gifts

A key announcement by PM Modi was the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, which will be introduced by Diwali and are likely to reduce the prices of daily-use commodities.

“Need of the hour to take a resolve for building a ‘samarth’ (strong) Bharat, just like our freedom fighters had envisioned a free India,” Modi said in his speech.

He also announced Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, a Rs 1 lakh crore scheme for creating employment opportunities for India’s youth. “Those getting their first job in the private sector will get Rs 15,000 from the government,” the PM said.

Also, the government will provide incentives to companies recruiting freshers to encourage large-scale job creation. PM Modi said the initiative is expected to benefit around 3.5 crore young people

He also mentioned ‘lakhpati didis’, several of whom were invited to the Red Fort for the Independence Day celebrations.

“Farmers contribute a lot to our economy; they have made India a top producer of several commodities,” the Prime Minister added.

India’s Demographic Mission

PM Modi warned about a pre-meditated conspiracy to change the country’s demography through “illegal infiltration”. He announced a demographic mission to tackle the challenge.

“I wish to warn the country about a concern that is emerging as a crisis. As part of a premeditated conspiracy, the country’s demography is being changed. Seeds of a new crisis are being sown,” Modi said.

“These infiltrators are snatching the livelihood of the youth of my country. They are targeting our sisters and daughters. They are misleading the adivasis and grabbing their lands. This will not be tolerated,” the PM warned.

After highlighting the issue, PM Modi said his government is launching a demographic mission.

“From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I want to say that we have decided to start a high-powered demographic mission. This mission will tackle this serious crisis and will take care of the crisis looming large over our country in a set time frame. We are moving forward towards it,” he announced.

Nod to RSS

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is the world’s biggest non-governmental organisation (NGO), PM Modi said on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day.

The RSS, which is the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ideological parent, will mark 100 years of its foundation this year.

“The RSS was formed 100 years ago. It was always involved in nation-building. The RSS is dedicated to India’s service. It is the world’s biggest NGO. I am proud of the history of RSS,” the Prime Minister said.