PM Modi said India’s true enemy is its dependence on other countries, urging self-reliance to safeguard national pride, strength, and the future of 1.4 billion citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called India’s dependence on other countries its “real enemy”, urging people to embrace self-reliance for national strength, pride, and global respect.
Modi laid the foundation stone for several development projects in Gujarat before addressing a public rally in Bhavnagar. Stressing the need for Atmanirbharta, he said: “Today, India is moving forward with the spirit of Vishwabandhu. We have no major enemy in the world. Our only real enemy is our dependence on other countries. This is our biggest enemy, and together we must defeat this enemy of India, the enemy of dependence.”
#WATCH | Gujarat | Addressing a public rally in Bhavnagar, PM Modi says, “Duniya mein koi hamara bada dushman nahi hai. Agar hamara koi dushman hai toh woh hai dusre deshon par hamari nirbharta…”
“Today, India is moving forward with the spirit of ‘Vishwabandhu’. We have no… pic.twitter.com/f6zNRbN9Rc
— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2025
He added, “The greater the foreign dependence, the greater the nation’s failure. For global peace, stability, and prosperity, the country with the world’s largest population must become Atmanirbhar. If we remain dependent on others, our self-respect will be hurt. We cannot leave the future of 1.4 billion countrymen to others.”
The remarks come at a time of growing concerns over US policies affecting India. On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, effective September 21, which is expected to hit Indian applicants hardest. Washington has also maintained its steep 50% tariffs on Indian imports.
In Gujarat, Modi linked self-reliance to national pride and the country’s future: “If we remain dependent on others, our self-respect will be hurt. We cannot leave the future of 1.4 billion countrymen to others.”
He underlined the importance of Atmanirbharta as the way forward: “There is only one medicine for a hundred sorrows, and that is a self-reliant India.”
