Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s commitment to self-reliance, particularly in achieving energy independence and developing robust defense systems, during his annual Independence Day address from the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.

On Friday, Modi said, “Self-reliance is the foundation of developed India,” emphasizing that dependence on others undermines true freedom.

His remarks come amid growing pressure and threats from the United States regarding tariffs on Indian goods.

The relationship between New Delhi and Washington has been strained, particularly due to Trump’s demand for India to halt its purchases of Russian oil, a significant revenue source for Moscow amid its ongoing military actions in Ukraine.

India has expressed readiness to support efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict and welcomes a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, the U.S. has warned that it will increase import tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50% by August 27 if India does not change its crude oil suppliers.

Acknowledging India’s reliance on external sources for energy, Modi noted, “To build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence.”

He called on scientists and engineers to prioritise advancements in critical sectors, including fighter jet engines, semiconductor chips, and military hardware.

“We will have India-made semiconductor chips in the market by the year’s end,” he promised, adding that the country is also working towards establishing its own space station and developing a “defense shield” within the next decade.

While he did not mention Trump directly, Modi declared his intent to “stand like a wall” against any policies that threaten the interests of farmers, a vital sector in India that plays a significant role in trade negotiations.

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