On the morning of August 15, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the historic Red Fort for the 79th Independence Day, marking his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech as Prime Minister. Draped in a saffron-and-white turban symbolising energy and purity, he began his address by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and honouring the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters. Modi called the day a &ldquo;festival of hope and aspirations&rdquo; and urged citizens to recommit themselves to fulfilling the dreams of those who fought for India&rsquo;s freedom.
A significant portion of his address was devoted to national security and India&rsquo;s assertive stance on sovereignty. Modi praised the armed forces for the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, which followed the Pahalgam massacre, calling it a testament to India&rsquo;s self-reliance in defence capabilities. He issued a stern warning to Pakistan, rejecting &ldquo;nuclear blackmail&rdquo; and stating unequivocally that any provocation would be met with decisive and independent action. In one of the speech&rsquo;s most quoted lines, he declared, &ldquo;Blood and water will not flow together,&rdquo; announcing the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. Modi argued that while Pakistan benefited from shared water resources, Indian farmers suffered a situation he deemed unacceptable.
On the economic front, Modi unveiled a set of sweeping reforms and initiatives aimed at bolstering self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. He announced a major overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), describing it as a &ldquo;Diwali gift&rdquo; that would reduce tax burdens on essential goods and stimulate domestic consumption. The Prime Minister laid out plans to expand domestic manufacturing in sectors such as fertilisers, EV batteries, jet engines, and critical minerals to reduce dependency on imports. He further revealed that India would roll out its first Made-in-India semiconductor chips by the end of the year, positioning the nation as a rising hub for advanced technology manufacturing.
Energy security and sustainability also featured prominently. Modi proudly announced that India had already met its 2030 target of sourcing 50% of its energy from clean sources five years ahead of schedule. He reaffirmed the government&rsquo;s commitment to space exploration, mentioning the upcoming Gaganyaan manned mission and the ambitious plan to establish an independent Indian space station shortly.
In a major push for youth empowerment, Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, a ₹1 lakh crore initiative to support fresh graduates entering the private job market. Under the scheme, first-time job seekers will receive ₹15,000 in assistance, and employers will be incentivised to hire new talent. He urged India&rsquo;s youth to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing the &ldquo;Vocal for Local&rdquo; philosophy to boost indigenous industries and products.
The Prime Minister also made a broader call for unity, urging citizens to rise above linguistic, cultural, and ideological divides to work toward the shared goal of a Viksit Bharat, a fully developed India by 2047, when the nation celebrates its centenary of independence. He appealed to social media influencers and young leaders to use their platforms for nation-building, while extending an olive branch to political opponents to prioritise national interest over partisan differences.
Closing his nearly 90-minute address, Modi struck a note of determination and optimism. He described India as standing at a &ldquo;historic threshold&rdquo; where economic resilience, technological innovation, and national unity could together propel it to global leadership. His speech combined a tribute to the past with a blueprint for the future, emphasising security, self-reliance, youth empowerment, and the unyielding pursuit of a developed India.
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From security to self-reliance, PM Modi outlines India’s roadmap to 2047 in I-Day 2025

PM Modi’s 2025 I-Day Speech: Key Highlights

From security to self-reliance, PM Modi outlines India’s roadmap to 2047 in I-Day 2025

August 15, 2025 | 17:14 IST