**Our Real Enemy Is Dependence on Other Countries: Modi**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 20, 2025 | 04:50 pm*
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasized the critical need for self-reliance in India, describing it as a matter of national pride and the nation’s future.
Speaking at a public address in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Modi declared, “We have no major enemy in the world. Our only real enemy is our dependence on other countries.”
**National Strength Tied to Self-Reliance**
Modi further stressed, “The greater the foreign dependence, the greater the nation’s failure.” He emphasized that self-reliance is essential not only for India’s progress but also for maintaining global peace and prosperity.
These remarks come amid growing concerns over recent U.S. policies impacting India. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that will impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications starting September 21. This move is expected to affect India significantly, as Indians constitute 71% of H-1B visa holders. Additionally, India continues to grapple with the effects of 50% tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Indian imports.
**Economic Independence: ‘From Chips to Ships, We Must Make Everything’**
In his address, Modi highlighted India’s need to achieve self-reliance across various sectors. “From chips to ships, we must make everything,” he said, underscoring the importance of building domestic capacity in both technology and manufacturing.
**Maritime Strength and Trade Reforms**
The Prime Minister also pointed to India’s maritime sector as a key to national growth, calling ports the “backbone of our nation’s rise as a global maritime powerhouse.” To boost maritime trade, Modi announced reforms such as the “One Nation, One Document” initiative, aimed at simplifying trade procedures at Indian ports.
He did not shy away from criticizing previous Congress governments for hampering India’s potential with restrictive policies like the license raj, which stifled talent and innovation.
**Advancing Defense Self-Reliance**
Modi also highlighted India’s progress toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing, citing INS Vikrant as a prime example of indigenous production. “More than 40 ships and submarines have been introduced, and except for a few, all of them have been made in India,” he stated.
Additionally, the Prime Minister pointed out that the cost of shipping goods through foreign firms nearly matches India’s entire defense budget, reinforcing the need to boost domestic capabilities.
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Prime Minister Modi’s call for self-reliance reflects a broader vision for India’s future — one that reduces external dependencies and empowers the nation to stand strong economically, technologically, and militarily.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/dependence-on-other-countries-is-india-s-biggest-enemy-pm-modi/story