Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underscored the importance of self-reliance for India in a public address in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
His remarks came against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s proclamation requiring companies to pay $100,000 per H-1B worker visa annually.
PM Modi stressed the need for India to pursue Atmanirbhar Bharat and reduce dependency on other countries. 
&ldquo;We have no major enemy in the world. Our only real enemy is our dependence on other countries. This is our biggest enemy, and together we must defeat this enemy of India, the enemy of dependence,&rdquo; he said.
He further noted, &ldquo;The greater the foreign dependence, the greater the nation&rsquo;s failure,&rdquo; emphasizing that self-reliance is crucial not just for India&rsquo;s growth, but also for global peace, stability, and prosperity.
One Nation, One Document
Highlighting reforms in trade and port operations, PM Modi announced the introduction of new documentation reforms at Indian ports. 
&ldquo;We are going to have new reforms for Indian ports. "One Nation, One Document" and "One Nation, One Port Process" will simplify trade,&rdquo; he explained.
From Chips to Ships
PM Modi called for domestic production across all sectors, stating, &ldquo;From chips to ships, we must make everything in India.&rdquo; 
He added that Atmanirbhar Bharat is the &ldquo;only medicine&rdquo; for the country&rsquo;s challenges and is essential to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in a nation with the world&rsquo;s largest population.
Indian Ports: Backbone of the Nation
The Prime Minister highlighted the strategic importance of Indian ports, calling them the backbone of the country. 
He noted that the government has strengthened the maritime sector by recognising large ships as infrastructure. 
&ldquo;India's ports are the backbone of our nation&rsquo;s rise as a global maritime powerhouse,&rdquo; he said, while critiquing previous governments for suppressing Indian talent through policies like the licence raj.
Example of Self-Reliance: INS Vikrant
Citing examples of domestic achievements, PM Modi pointed to INS Vikrant, built using Indian steel. 
&ldquo;More than 40 ships and submarines have been introduced, and except for a few, all have been made in India,&rdquo; he added. 
He also highlighted the financial implications of foreign dependence, noting that India spends ₹6 lakh crore annually on shipping goods via foreign firms &mdash; an amount nearly equal to the country&rsquo;s defence budget.

PM Modi addressing crowd on self-reliance

PM Modi urges self-reliance, calls foreign dependence India’s biggest enemy

PM Modi: Dependence On Others Is India’s Enemy

PM Modi urges self-reliance, calls foreign dependence India’s biggest enemy

September 20, 2025 | 22:48 IST