Chicago – August 17, 2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the country on Friday to move towards more self-reliance, manufacture everything from fertilisers to jet engines and EV batteries, and vowed to protect farmers in the face of a trade conflict with Washington.
With the punishing tariffs imposed on Indian exports by U.S. President Donald Trump expected to hurt growth in the world’s fastest growing major economy, Modi announced lower goods and services taxes (GST) from October – a move that could help boost consumption.
He also announced India would set up a new defence system called ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ in the aftermath of India’s four-day military conflict with Pakistan in May.
He did not elaborate but a government statement said the system is aimed at neutralising enemy infiltrations and enhancing India’s offensive capabilities.
Indian defence and policy circles have informally referred to the Russian S-400 air defence system – which played a key role during the fighting with Pakistan – as Sudarshan Chakra, after a Hindu mythological weapon.
Modi was addressing the nation on the occasion of its Independence Day at a time New Delhi has been struggling with Trump’s tariffs and the collapse of trade talks, largely due to differences over imports of American farm and dairy products.
“Farmers, fishermen, cattle rearers are our top priorities,” Modi said in his customary annual address from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi.
“Modi will stand like a wall against any policy that threatens their interests. India will never compromise when it comes to protecting the interests of our farmers,” he said.
