Bhavnagar: In a powerful address on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the importance of India’s self-reliance amid shifting global dynamics, including the recent changes in the H-1B visa policy by the United States and the ongoing trade tensions under former US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Speaking to a crowd in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, PM Modi emphasized that India’s biggest challenge is not external adversaries but its dependence on other countries. “Our biggest enemy is not foreign powers, but our dependence on them,” he declared. “To rise as a global power, India must break free from this dependence and become self-reliant.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks came at a time when the US had imposed a significant financial burden on companies hiring foreign workers, particularly in the tech industry. Under the Trump administration’s recent directive, businesses will be required to pay $100,000 annually for each H-1B visa holder—a move likely to affect Indian tech professionals, many of whom are employed in the US under this program.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The Path Forward
The call for an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) has been central to Modi’s policy narrative. In his speech, he urged the nation to focus on domestic manufacturing and innovation. “From chips to ships, we need to make everything in India. We cannot remain dependent on others for our survival,” Modi stated, underscoring the importance of creating everything from semiconductors to large-scale ships within the country.
He added that self-reliance is crucial not just for India’s economic growth but also for global peace and stability. “A nation that has the world’s largest population must lead by example in becoming self-sufficient. This is essential to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity,” he asserted.
Reforms in Maritime and Port Infrastructure
The Prime Minister also addressed India’s significant potential in the maritime sector. He revealed plans for new reforms to streamline the country’s port operations, including the introduction of the “One Nation, One Document” and “One Nation, One Port Process,” aimed at simplifying trade and reducing bureaucratic red tape.
Describing India’s ports as the “backbone of the nation,” PM Modi shared his government’s decision to recognize large ships as essential infrastructure. He contrasted this with the previous Congress-led governments, accusing them of stifling India’s potential by imposing restrictive policies like the license raj.
INS Vikrant and India’s Growing Defence Capabilities
Modi highlighted India’s self-reliance in the defence sector, pointing to examples like the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, as a symbol of the country’s growing capabilities. “More than 40 ships and submarines have been introduced in India’s navy, and the majority of them have been made within the country,” he proudly noted.
He also raised concerns about the vast amount of money India spends on foreign shipping firms, citing that India pays ₹6 lakh crore annually to foreign companies for shipping goods globally. “This amount is almost equivalent to our entire defence budget. We must work towards reducing such expenditures by strengthening our domestic capabilities,” Modi emphasized.
A Vision for India’s Future
PM Modi’s address painted a clear picture of India’s vision for the future—one where the country is no longer dependent on external powers for its growth, but is instead a self-sustained, global leader. He called on Indians to unite in this mission of self-reliance, stressing that it is “the only medicine” for India’s challenges.
In conclusion, Modi’s remarks framed a roadmap for India’s growth in the face of both external challenges, like the US visa policy, and internal ones, such as building up domestic infrastructure and manufacturing. His vision for Aatmanirbhar Bharat continues to be a cornerstone of his leadership, aiming for a stronger, more self-sufficient India in the coming years.
