New Delhi: Over 103 minutes of exhortation – the longest on record by any Prime Minister in independent India – Narendra Modi used his 12th Independence Day address to urge citizens to make a decisive shift towards swadeshi (local) products, framing it as a shield against global supply chain disruptions, tariff wars, and shifting geopolitical alliances.

Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th anniversary of India's independence, Modi outlined a roadmap that tied together increased domestic manufacturing, sweeping indirect tax reforms, and a strengthened national security architecture under the Sudarshan Chakra mission, as he looked to deliver a strong response to several challenges the country has been facing in recent months.

"If the sacrifices of crores of people can lead to an independent India, then the decisiveness, self-reliance, and choice of swadeshi products can lead to a prosperous India," the Prime Minister said, urging traders to prominently display and market locally made products.

Modi's address, reflecting themes of 'New India' and 'Nation First', also included measures to improve ease of doing business, along with plans to curb illegal immigration.

Self-reliance was essential to insulating the economy from external disruptions, Modi said. "Self-reliance is not just about exports, imports, the rupee, or the dollar. It is about our capabilities, our strength to stand on our own," Modi said.

"The'daam kam, dum zyada' mantra projects India's resolve to compete globally while insulating its economy from external shocks," said Ajay Sahai, director-general of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

The PM's address comes in the backdrop of several geopolitical challenges – including punitive 50% tariffs announced by the US on Indian exports to that country for continuing to buy Russian oil, a standoff in India's trade deal talks with the US, and China's restrictions on exports of critical raw materials for Indian manufacturing, among others.

GST bonanza coming

In a parallel, significant move to revive slack domestic consumption, Modi said the central government is working with states to reform the goods and services tax (GST) and bring significant relief to people. "In this Deepavali, you will be getting a double Deepavali," he said. Noting that GST has lowered the tax burden nationwide, he said it was now time for a review after eight years.

Farmers' interest top priority

The Prime Minister said he would stand for the interests of farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen without compromise. "Modi is standing like a wall against any harmful policy related to the farmers, fishermen and cattle rearers of India. India will never accept any compromise regarding its farmers, its livestock rearers, its fishermen," he said.

This assumes importance as the US is seeking market access into India in agriculture and dairy sectors in bilateral trade agreement negotiations.

Push for local manufacturing

Even while expressing his desire to see an indigenous engine on an Indian fighter jet, Modi called for greater investment in domestic manufacturing to withstand global supply chain shocks and tariff disputes, and stressed the importance of ensuring a robust flow of raw materials for the manufacturing sector. He called for increased research and development funding, semiconductor chips made in India, as well as local electric vehicle batteries.

Modi also said India would bolster private sector investments in new energy sectors such as nuclear energy generation.

Sankalp Gurjar, professor of geopolitics at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, said the semiconductor industry is a new battleground between major powers, and India has been making efforts to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem.

"China has used its dominance in sectors like rare earth minerals processing as a geoeconomic tool," Gurjar said. "For India, China is a strategic challenge. However, given the unpredictable policies of Donald Trump, China and India may perhaps find some areas of collaboration."

RSS mention sparks criticism

Modi's longest I-Day address also found the mention of the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological parent organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). "A hundred years ago, a community was born - the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. A century of serving the nation is a matter of pride," he said. Listing the core values of the organisation as service and impeccable governance, Modi also referred to it as "an NGO (non-governmental organisation), in a way."

Taking notice of the RSS mention, opposition leader Jairam Ramesh said on X, "The most troubling element of the PM's speech today was his name-checking of the RSS from the ramparts of the Red Fort — a blatant breach of the spirit of a constitutional, secular republic. It is nothing but a desperate attempt to appease the organisation in the run-up to his 75th birthday next month. Decisively weakened after the events of June 4th, 2024, he is now at their complete mercy and reliant on Mohan Bhagwat's good offices for the extension of his tenure post-September. This politicisation of Independence Day for personal and organisational gain is deeply corrosive to our democratic ethos."

Tightening national security

In his address, Modi unveiled a new national security strategy under the Sudarshan Chakra mission to create a security shield against national security threats. With rapid advancements in defence technology, India needs to widen its security response after the recent victory in Operation Sindoor, the PM said.

"We need to constantly upgrade defence technology," he said. "That is why, in the next 10 years till 2035, a new technological platform shield will be used to secure key public places in the country including hospitals, railways, and places of worship," said Modi.

The shield will be widened to cover as many locations as possible to make the population feel secure, and will be modernized to counter any technological threat to the country.

To be sure, during Operation Sindoor in May, India's advanced defence systems had successfully thwarted Pakistani drone attacks. Operation Sindoor, where Indian forces attacked and destroyed terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was India's response against the 22 April Pahalgam terrorist attack, which left 26 individuals dead.

The PM reiterated that India will not be bullied by nuclear threats, and not distinguish between terrorists and terrorist-sponsoring governments.

"While this stance was asserted soon after Op Sindoor, the Red Fort reference can be seen as a nuanced response to the more recent nuclear sabre-rattling by field marshal Asim Munir," said commodore (retired) Chitrapu Uday Bhaskar, director at Society for Policy Studies. "The inference is that Delhi may review and revise its NFU (no-first-use) nuclear doctrine to address new WMD-terrorism challenges." WMD is short for weapons of mass destruction.

Demographic challenge

Modi also announced measures to guard against demographic shifts in India caused by illegal immigration. "The demography of the country is being changed by a planned conspiracy. Illegal immigrants are stealing Indian livelihoods, targeting Indian women. This will not be tolerated," said Modi. He added that illegal immigrants are also capturing tribal land.

Changing demographics, especially in border regions, is a threat to national security and unity and peace in the country, said Modi. "We have decided to start a high-powered demography mission. The mission will address this looming threat of illegal immigration in a well-thought out manner in due time," he said.

PM Modi also continued his drive against reducing obesity in the country. He has previously spoken about the issue in his Mann Ki Baat addresses. Mint reported on Friday that India is planning to further reduce sugar in baby food.