From Vision to Action: Top Quotes from PM Modi's Independence Day Speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address also highlighted self-reliance, a strong push for technology and semiconductors, and praise for the armed forces after the success of Operation Sindoor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort, delivered a hard-hitting speech on Friday (August 15), declaring that India will not bow to nuclear threats and vowing to correct the "injustice" of the Indus Waters Treaty. His address also highlighted self-reliance, a strong push for technology and semiconductors, and praise for the armed forces after the success of Operation Sindoor.

Here are the key takeaways and top quotes from the Prime Minister’s address:

Setting a firm tone, Modi said India has resolved to stand strong against any nuclear coercion.

“India has decided that it will not tolerate nuclear threats anymore, we won’t fall for any blackmail,” he said.

Linking his nuclear stance to water security, the Prime Minister called the Indus Waters Treaty “unjust.”

“The people have come to realize that the Indus Waters Treaty is unjust. Water from the Indus River system has been irrigating the lands of the enemy, while our own farmers have suffered. What kind of agreement is this that has caused such immense loss to our farmers for the past seven decades?” he asked.

PM Modi hailed the armed forces for their swift retaliation after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

“After April 22, we gave full freedom to the forces to choose the planning, target and timing, and our forces did something that never happened for decades… went inside the enemy territory and destroyed terrorist infrastructure,” he said.

He added that Operation Sindoor caused such destruction that “new revelations are being made every day and new information is coming out daily.”

Reiterating his government’s focus on self-reliance, Modi urged Indians to reduce dependence on external powers.

“‘Aatmanirbharta’ is not just confined to import, export, rupee, pound and dollar. It covers a broader spectrum of national resilience.”

He pointed to major strides in solar, hydrogen, and nuclear energy as part of India’s march toward energy independence.

Turning to technology, Modi criticized past governments for failing to act on semiconductor opportunities.

“The idea of semiconductor factory came forth 50-60 years ago… You would be surprised to know that the idea of semiconductor was killed in the womb. We lost 50-60 years,” he said.

He added that India is now moving in “mission mode” and promised that made-in-India chips will hit the market by the end of the year.