I-Day 2025 Updates: PM Modi unveils defence, jobs plan; rejects nuclear, tariff blackmail

With his 12th Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi overtook former PM Indira Gandhi in delivering consecutive speeches from the Red Fort. He is now second to India’s First Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru when it comes to delivering speeches year after year.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has wished India on the occasion of its 79th Independence Day. “On behalf of the United States, I extend our congratulations and warm wishes to the people of India as they celebrate their Independence Day on August 15,” he said in a statement.

He added, “The historic relationship between the world’s largest democracy and the world’s oldest democracy is consequential and far-reaching. Our two countries are united by our shared vision for a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Our partnership spans industries, promotes innovation, pushes the boundaries of critical and emerging technologies, and extends into space.”

After concluding a rousing address to the nation on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, PM Modi greeted all the special guests present at the Red Fort.

PM Modi announced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra in a bid to boost India’s defence system. Under the mission, a powerful weapon system will not only neutralise enemy attacks but also hit back against them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his record with his 12th Independence Day speech as his Friday speech became his longest address to the nation. The speech delivered from the Red Fort on Friday reached the 100-minute mark.

Taking a tough stance against infiltration, PM Modi said, “Infiltrators are targeting our sisters and daughters, capturing lands of tribals.. India won’t tolerate this. When the demography changes, it creates a danger for national security, and sows seeds of societal tensions. No country would give in to infiltrators, so how can India do it?”

Vowing more support to farmers and fishermen, PM Modi said he will “stand like a wall” to protect them. “Bharat will not accept any policy which goes against our farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. I am standing like a wall against people who will try to force any policy like this,” he asserted.

As he delivered his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared what he described as a ‘Make in India wishlist’. In his Friday address, the prime minister urged young Indian scientists to develop Made in India fighter jets.

PM Modi has made a big announcement during his Independence Day speech, promising to make the Diwali celebration better for Indians. “This Diwali, I will give a big gift to the country. We are  bringing next-gen GST reforms this Diwali.”

“We are all seeing the feat in the space sector and we are filled with pride. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from ISS and in the coming few days, he is coming to India. In space, we are preparing for Gaganyaan, as aatmanirbhar Bharat. We are also working towards building our own Space Station. I am proud that more than 300 startups of the country are working just in space sector,” PM Modi said as he pushed for self-reliance in India’s space sector.

“We are now also heading towards ‘Samudra Manthan’. Taking this forward, we want to work in Mission Mode to look for the oil and gas reserves in the sea. So, India is about to launch the National Deep Water Exploration Mission,” PM Modi said.

“Today, I urge the young scientists, talented youth, engineers, professionals and all departments of the Government that we should have our jet engines for our own Made in India fighter jets,” said PM Modi.

PM Modi said, “We are working on semiconductors on Mission Mode…By the end of this year, Made in India semiconductor chips, made by the people in India, will hit the market.”

“Our enemies had no idea about the capability of ‘Made in India’, which weapons are simple and which are powerful enough to destroy them in a moment. Just think, if we were not self-reliant, would we have been able to carry out Operation Sindoor with such speed?” said PM Modi.

He also noted the advances made in India’s energy sector, saying, “It is crucial for us to make the country self-reliant in the energy sector. We took up this responsibility, and today, in just 11 years, solar energy capacity has increased 30 times. We are also building new dams to expand hydropower so that we can ensure access to clean energy.”

Hailing the Operation Sindoor, PM Modi said, “Entire India was outraged, and the entire world was shocked by such a massacre (Pahalgam). Operation Sindoor is the expression of that outrage. Destruction in Pakistan is so massive that new revelations are being made every day and new information is coming out daily.”

“Nature is testing all of us. I extend solidarity to all those affected by natural calamities. Both the state and central governments are working together with full force in rescue and relief operations. Our deepest condolences are with those affected,” said PM Modi, referring to the cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir.