Atmanirbharta, kisan and yuva dominate one of PM Modi’s longest Independence Day speeches

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12th Independence Day address, one of his longest speeches to date, put atmanirbharta (self-reliance), kisan (farmers) and yuva (youth) at the heart of his message. A Moneycontrol analysis showed “Atmanirbharta” and “kisan” were each mentioned more than 20 times in the nearly nearly two-hour-long address, while youth and yuva together found 18 mentions.

Calling upon young Indians to help the country become self-reliant in new and emerging technologies, the Prime Minister asked, “Why can’t India have a social media of its own?” He stressed the importance of building India’s creator economy alongside reducing dependence on imports in areas such as critical minerals, fertilisers, arms and ammunition, and defence manufacturing.

The push for self-reliance extended to energy security. PM Modi announced a National Deep Water Exploration Mission and set a goal to increase nuclear energy output tenfold by 2047, and reiterated the need to cut dependence on imported fuels. The focus comes at a time when the US has imposed an additional 25 percent duty on Indian imports over New Delhi’s close energy ties with Russia.

The push for self-reliance extended to energy security. Modi announced a National Deep Water Exploration Mission and set a goal to increase nuclear energy output tenfold by 2047, and reiterated the need to cut dependence on imported fuels. The focus comes at a time when the US has imposed an additional 25 percent duty on Indian imports over New Delhi’s close energy ties with Russia.

Critical minerals were mentioned five times — the first appearance of the term in an Independence Day address — amid rising concerns over India’s dependence on China, which supplies more than two-thirds of such imports. China also remains a key supplier of speciality fertilisers, whose exports it has halted since January.

On defence, Modi cited Operation Sindoor as an example of India’s growing self-reliance, noting that the mission’s success would not have been possible without domestic capability. He also stressed on the development of indigenous jet engines for next-generation fighter aircraft.

The speech also touched on security concerns, with “terrorism” mentioned six times and the Indus Water Treaty referenced thrice. “Nuclear blackmail” entered Modi’s I-Day lexicon this year, following remarks by Pakistan’s army chief in the US.