In his address to the nation on India’s 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored that the success of Operation Sindoor, a military action against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), was a direct result of India’s commitment to self-reliance.
Speaking from the Red Fort, the Prime Minister delivered his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech, emphasizing that an “atmanirbhar B⁵harat” (self-reliant India) is the foundational pillar for a “viksit Bharat” (developed India).
Operation Sindoor: A New Normal for Counter-Terrorism
The Prime Minister revealed that Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was a decisive response by the Indian Armed Forces to the April 22 Pahalgam attack. The operation successfully targeted multiple terror camps, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists. Following the strikes, India’s air defense systems successfully intercepted a retaliatory missile and drone attack from Pakistan, to which India responded by striking Pakistani airfields. A ceasefire was announced on May 10, bringing a close to the short-lived but intense confrontation.
PM Modi praised the “brave soldiers who punished masters of terror beyond their imagination,” stating that the armed forces were given a “free hand to respond to terrorists” after the Pahalgam incident. He asserted that the operation set a “new normal in dealing with cross-border terrorism” and had left Pakistan “lost its sleep.”
A Strong Message on Nuclear Threats and Self-Reliance
In a firm message directed at Pakistan, the Prime Minister declared that India would “not tolerate nuclear threats” and would not “fall for any blackmail.” He connected this national security stance to the broader goal of self-reliance, warning that being dependent on other nations is a “recipe for disaster” and that a self-reliant nation is essential for safeguarding its interests.
Modi’s speech also touched on future aspirations for self-reliance in defense technology, calling for the indigenous development of jet engines for “Made in India” fighter jets. He concluded with a message of confidence in the nation’s youth, expressing his belief that they have the capabilities to make India a developed nation by 2047.
