Although the major part of the Prime Minister's speech was dedicated to Swadeshi, internal and external security and self-reliance in the field of industry, agriculture and technology amid global uncertainties, in his nearly 110-minute speech, the Prime Minister did not leave the commitment to give direct benefits to the common man. — Dr. Ashwani Mahajan

On the occasion of the 79th anniversary of independence, today, while addressing the countrymen from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the Prime Minister has reiterated his resolve for Swadeshi and security, and presented country’s roadmap to make the country a developed nation by 2047. Just 13 days before 15th August, on 2 August 2025, the Prime Minister, in his speech in Varanasi, made a strong appeal for Swadeshi, saying that if India has to protect its interests, then every party, every leader and every citizen will have to promote Swadeshi. He not only called upon the traders and shopkeepers that the sale of these Swadeshi goods would be the true service to the country, he also appealed to the countrymen to buy only those goods in which the sweat of the people of the country has been shed. In the current context, when other countries including United States of America, are trying to curb the independent economic and foreign policy and growing economic and strategic power of our country, this call of the Prime Minister holds a special significance. It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump had announced to impose 25 percent additional import duty (total 50 percent) on many goods coming from the US; and also to impose a penalty on it by saying that India is buying oil from Russia. Trump had said that by buying oil from Russia, India is helping Russia in its war with Ukraine, although India had made it clear that US is adopting double standards in this regard because it is still maintaining trade relations with Russia for its own needs. In his Varanasi speech, the Prime Minister had underlined the importance of Swadeshi in the context of uncertain global conditions. It has to be understood that this speech of the Prime Minister on 15 August is not just an emotional appeal for Swadeshi, but is also a clear direction of policies by his government to take India forward and make it a developed nation by 2047.

Although after assuming power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly talked about Make in India, Start Up India, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship Development etc. to make the country economically strong, but he never had such a clear insistence on Swadeshi in it. He always expressed faith in the role of the youth, scientists, women and entrepreneurs of the country in strengthening the country and its pleasant results were also seen, but the country realized the power of Swadeshi during Covid-19, when the whole world had seen itself kneeling in front of pandemic. The countries calling themselves developed were not confident of protecting themselves, let alone helping developing countries. In such a situation, the Indian society not only served and protected the environment around it, nation was also able to protect the entire population by making vaccines for itself in India, and surprised the world by making medicines and health equipment, due to which the impact of Covid-19 in India was much less than the rest of the world. Taking forward the Prime Minister's call for the use of indigenous products and reiterating his resolve to move forward in every field on the basis of indigenous products, he said that we will not only make fertilizers for farmers but will also make engines for our fighter planes. 

The time is reaching for us to move forward with our quality products in the global markets. Today, in the uncertain global environment, this has become even more important. Underlining in his own style that products are produced cheaply in India, he said that we will have to work on the mantra of 'Daam Kam Aur Dam Jyaada' (less price and better quality). This declaration of the Prime Minister holds a special significance in the context of the deadlock in trade talks between the US and India and the unfortunate hostile stance being adopted by the US administration. While supporters of globalization have been arguing for mutual dependence among countries, the Prime Minister's statement that dependence on other countries is dangerous and we have to be self-reliant to protect our interests, directly seems to reject the idea of globalization altogether.

The Prime Minister said that by the end of this year, we will be able to produce the first batch of semiconductors. With the US insisting on access to India's dairy and agricultural markets, PM Modi said he would stand like a "wall" to protect the interests of India's farmers, fishermen and those involved in the dairy industry. He said India's agricultural exports are worth Rs 4 lakh crore.

The Prime Minister urged all small and big shopkeepers to have signs stating that they sell swadeshi goods. He said that swadeshi will not be a sign of India's weakness but of its strength and if needed, it will be used to weaken others. It is important to note that Swadeshi Jagran Manch has been making such a request for years.

Meanwhile, during Operation Sindoor, with the aim of destroying Pakistan's terrorists and its military capability, India's demonstration of its defense capability to the world not only destroyed Pakistan's defense system but also succeeded in breaking the arrogance of developed countries like the US and Europe and China. Till now these countries were proud of considering themselves as big military powers. However, USA and Europe, which have been fuelling the war between Russia and Ukraine due to their selfish interests, got disturbed by just four days of Operation Sindoor, and started appealing for ceasefire, citing dangers to global peace. The reason for this was that these countries started seeing their military goods market in danger. It is important to understand here that in the last few years, India's military goods exports have increased 6 times to Rs 23622 crore. Our production of defense goods has now increased to Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

On the security front, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to build next generation indigenous fighter aircraft. The Prime Minister said that all places of national importance, defense establishments as well as hospitals, railway stations and places of worship will be provided security cover. He said that Lord Krishna's ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ has inspired the government's 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra', which will not only neutralises the enemy's attack using technology, but will also "counter-attack" with many times more power.

Although the major part of the Prime Minister's speech was dedicated to Swadeshi, internal and external security and self-reliance in the field of industry, agriculture and technology amid global uncertainties, in his nearly 110-minute speech, the Prime Minister did not leave the commitment to give direct benefits to the common man. Promising a 'double Diwali' for the people, he said that the government will soon announce next generation reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, aimed at reducing the tax burden on the common man, making the items of daily needs cheaper. It is worth noting that this move will not only reduce inflation but will also make Indian products more competitive in the international market.