PM Modi, in his Independence Day address, called India’s reliance on other nations in sectors like energy and fertilisers “unfortunate” and urged a push for Atmanirbhar Bharat as the foundation for Viksit Bharat.
He said self-reliance must go beyond trade to include boosting national capabilities, with a plan to expand nuclear power capacity 12-fold by 2047.
Modi reaffirmed his stance against policies harming farmers, fishermen, and cattle rearers, amid US demands to open India’s agriculture market.
Amid Tariff Turmoil, PM Modi Emphasises Energy Independence by 2047
From energy to fertilisers, PM Modi urges India to cut dependence on foreign nations, expand nuclear power, and embrace self-reliance amid global trade tensions
Narendra Modi
Summary
Advertisement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India must reduce its reliance on other nations in key sectors such as energy and fertilisers. Speaking from the Red Fort on Independence Day, he urged citizens to embrace self-reliance and strengthen the country’s capabilities, calling it “the need of the hour.”
"For a nation, the greatest test of self-respect is its self-reliance. The foundation of a Viksit Bharat is also Atmanirbhar Bharat. Those who are dependent on others raise a question mark over their freedom, and this happens even more when we get used to being dependent on others," said Modi.
He emphasised that self-reliance is not limited to exports and imports. "It is also related to our capabilities. Therefore, to increase our capabilities, we must be self-reliant," he added.
The Prime Minister further noted that India is also taking big initiatives in the nuclear energy sector to expand the country's nuclear power production capacity by 12 times by 2047.
Advertisement
The Prime Minister's call for self-reliance came at a time when the global market is on the edge due to the tariff threats unleashed by US President Donald Trump on April 2. Currently, all Indian goods entering the US are facing a 25% duty as both nations have failed to seal an interim deal. The US is putting pressure on India to open up its agriculture market but India has maintained its red lines.
"If any policy is against India's farmers, fishermen, cattle rearers, Modi is standing like a wall," Modi said during his speech.
Trump recently imposed a 25% penalty on India over its energy imports from Russia, bringing India's tariff tally to 50% from August 27 onwards.
Modi noted that India has remained dependent on other countries to meet its energy needs, but to build a truly self-reliant India, achieving energy independence is a must. "In the last 11 years, our solar energy capacity has increased by 30 times. We are constructing new dams, and India is now focusing actively on nuclear energy," he said.
Advertisement
"We have taken significant steps in this direction, with 10 new nuclear reactors currently operational. By the time India celebrates 100 years of independence, we aim to increase our nuclear energy capacity tenfold," he added.
On the other hand, amid the US-China trade war, Beijing also squeezed the supply of seven rare earth elements and magnets crucial for defence and high-tech sectors. China has also stopped shipment of speciality fertilisers to India earlier this year without an official ban. However, a commerce ministry official on Thursday stated that trade with China currently moving in a positive direction.
"Today, when economic selfishness is rising day by day in the global situation, it is the need of the hour that we don't sit crying over those crises," said PM Modi.
Show comments