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Prime Minster Narendra Modi addressses the nation (Img: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, semiconductors and critical minerals in shaping India’s technological future.
During his 13th Independence Day address, PM Modi said that emerging technologies would require a strong and reliable energy ecosystem, stressing that the world’s future growth would depend heavily on power availability.
Speaking from the Red Fort in New Delhi, PM Modi said that as countries move towards advanced technologies, energy security will become increasingly important.
He said, “Whether it is chips, AI or data centres, we will need enormous amounts of electricity,” underlining the need for India to strengthen its energy infrastructure alongside technological expansion.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid India’s broader push towards becoming a global technology hub and ensuring self-reliance in key sectors.
Highlighting India’s AI ambitions, PM Modi referred to the AI Summit held in New Delhi earlier this year and said the government aims to provide AI skill training to at least one crore young Indians.
The focus on AI education and skill development is part of India’s vision to prepare its workforce for future technologies and create new employment opportunities.
Several countries have conveyed their wishes to India on the occasion of Independence Day. The United States, Iran and Israel extended greetings, highlighting India’s growing global partnerships and diplomatic relations.
The US praised the strong relationship between India and America, while leaders from other countries also conveyed messages of friendship and cooperation.
“We need components as well as complete product,” PM Modi said, calling for India to become a focal point for global supply chain.
Issuing an appeal to people in the manufacturing sector, PM Modi called for attention on “cost, quality and scale” and become competitive on global stage. “Our packaging should attract people, and our precision should become our identity,” Modi said.
PM Modi said India should become an innovation hub. Emphasising how Artificial Intelligence, robotics, space, quantum and data centres are gaining prominence, PM Modi said: “Emerging technologies are challenging us every moment. We can't be a market for the world but should be an innovation hub”.
PM Modi listed sectors for blue economy - fisheries, coastal tourism and ocean technology.
PM Modi said that India commands respect across the world and has a stable government. “This is why we have had a FTA (Free Trade Agreements) with many countries since 2014,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi condemned the rumours and panic spread during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying some people were “having fun” by spreading rumours.
“By spreading all kinds of rumours from around the world, some people seemed to take pleasure in frightening Indians and keeping them immersed in fear and anxiety. But the country has seen that the well-thought-out plans of the past 10–12 years are bearing fruit,” PM Modi said.
“India began its first train run on hydrogen. I'm glad to say it is the most powerful train and I'm happy that India proved its mettle in this field,” PM Modi said, referring to the first hydrogen-powered train that ran a fresh set of trials between New Delhi and Jind in June this year.
PM Modi spoke about how India remained stuck in an attitude of 'it will happen, let's see'", but how that was changed. As an example, he described how a critical sea area was turned from no-go to go-ahead for exploration purposes.
PM Modi touched upon many subjects during his Independence Day address, including energy security, critical minerals and semiconductors, among others.
PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE: PM Modi spoke about the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ dream and said that India cannot be dependent on other nations. He also hailed India's semiconductor plants and more ambitions in the domain.
PM Narendra Modi touched upon many subjects during his Independence Day address, including energy security, critical minerals and semiconductors, among others.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort ramparts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of the occasion and said, “It is for the first time after Independence that ‘Vande Mataram’ was played at the Red Fort.”
The Prime Minister said the moment reflected the nation’s respect for the song that became a symbol of India’s freedom struggle and patriotic spirit.
India witnessed a significant moment during the 80th Independence Day celebrations on Saturday as the iconic patriotic song “Vande Mataram” was sung at the Red Fort ceremony for the first time.
The inclusion of the national song added a special significance to the celebrations, connecting the historic venue with the spirit of India’s freedom struggle and the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his greetings to the country on the occasion of 80th Independence Day and paid tributes to India's freedom fighters, saying their dreams will continue inspiring the nation to work together to realise the dream of 'Viksit Bharat'.
Warm greetings on the occasion of Independence Day.
We remember with gratitude the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule. Their dreams continue to inspire us as we work together to build a Viksit Bharat.…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2026
