PM Modi warns Pak, unveils GST reforms, vows to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047 in I-Day speech

In a stern warning to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (August 15) said India will not tolerate nuclear blackmail anymore and give a befitting reply to the enemy, while asserting that it has now set a "new normal" of not differentiating between terrorists and those who nurture terrorism.

In his 103-minute speech, also his 12 consecutive Independence Day address, Modi, speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi, made several announcements and resolutions in the fronts of defence, trad,e and employment to achieve his government’s goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Diwali gift

Among them was the prime minister’s promise of a big Diwali gift in form of next-generation GST reforms under which he said the taxes paid by people would reduce drastically, benefiting small industries and MSMEs.

He said that for a nation, the greatest test of self-respect is its self-reliance and stressed that the foundation of a 'Viksit Bharat' is also 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

"Those who are dependent on others raise a question mark over their own freedom, and this happens even more when we get used to being dependent on others. That is why we must remain aware. Self-reliance is not limited to export and imports. It is also related to our capabilities. Therefore, to increase our capabilities, we must be self-reliant," he asserted.

The prime minister said the country saw the wonders of 'Made in India' in Operation Sindoor.

"Had we not been self-reliant, would we have been able to carry out Operation Sindoor at such a level? In the last 10 years, we set our target to become self-reliant in the defence sector, and today we are seeing the results," Modi said.

Swipe at US?

In a message directed at the US, Modi said that India will not compromise on the interests of farmers, livestock rearers and fishermen, asserting that he is standing like a wall to protect them.

The remarks are important as the US is seeking duty concessions from India in the agriculture and dairy sectors in the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), being negotiated between the two countries.

The US has also imposed steep tariffs on India. Trump has ratcheted up tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, which will come into effect from August 27. At present, an additional 25 per cent tariff is there on Indian goods entering the American market.

"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.

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