NEW DELHI: Faced with the prospect of sky-high US tariffs on its goods, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that his country was seeking self-reliance in energy, and the development of its own defence systems, vowing to defend his country’s interests “like a wall”.

Modi delivered his annual Independence Day address from the ramparts of New Delhi’s Red Fort, saying that self-reliance was the “foundation of developed India”.

Ties between New Delhi and Washington have been strained by President Donald Trump’s ultimatum that India end its purchases of Russian oil.

The US announced that it would double new import tariffs on India from 25 per cent to 50pc by August 27 if New Delhi did not switch its crude suppliers.

“We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs. But to build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence.”

In his speech on Independence Day, Indian premier directs more vitriol at Pakistan

He did not speak directly about Trump, but said he would “stand like a wall” against any policy that hurts the interests of farmers.

“When economic selfishness is rising day by day… we must not just sit and worry about the crisis but instead focus on our strengths,” Modi said.

Anti-Pakistan vitriol

In his speech, the Indian PM fumed at Pakistan, claiming victory in the short war against its nuclear-armed rival in May of this year.

Modi claimed India would not tolerate what he called Pakistan’s “nuclear blackmail” anymore, adding that New Delhi had a “new normal” in dealing with cross-border terrorism.

He claimed the armed forces had used ‘Made in India’ weapons during Operation Sindoor.

“Indigenous capabilities allow India to act decisively and independently. National security cannot rest on foreign dependence,” he declared, calling self-reliance the bedrock of strength, dignity, and the journey to a developed India by 2047.

He also underlined the need for indigenously developing a jet engine for India’s fighter aircraft programme, saying it is necessary to march ahead in the defence manufacturing sector.

On May 6-7, New Delhi launched air strikes against Pakistan, in supposed retaliation for an attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, accusing Islamabad of being behind the incident without any proof.

Pakistan claimed downing half a dozen Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafales, which was backed up by several international observers. New Delhi also came up with similar claims recently, but they are yet to be verified.

Congress criticism

Reacting to the speech, the opposition Congress party said Modi’s praise for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his Independence Day speech was a “blatant breach” of the constitutional spirit and an attempt to appease Mohan Bhagwat before he turns 75.

This was a reference to the RSS chief’s recent statement, where he said leaders should step aside on attaining 75 years of age.

The Congress leader said Modi’s speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort was “stale, hypocritical, insipid”.

“The PM waxed eloquent on unity, inclusion, and democracy, at a time when he has presided over and engineered the collapse of our most foundational constitutional institutions like the Election Commission,” Ramesh said, adding that Modi had yet to answer any of the most foundational questions raised by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over the credibility of the election.

With input from AFP

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2025