Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his call for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) on Saturday, declaring that India has no choice but to become completely self-sufficient in the face of rising global protectionism. Speaking at an event in Bhavnagar, where he dedicated infrastructure and development projects worth over ₹1 lakh crore, the Prime Minister emphasized that “from chip to ship, everything must be made in India.”
Highlighting the importance of economic independence, Modi asserted, “In real terms, if there is one enemy of India, it is our reliance on other countries.” He warned that continued dependence on imports undermines both national interest and self-respect, adding that the future of India’s 140 crore citizens cannot be left at the mercy of foreign powers.
PM Modi also used the platform to launch a scathing attack on the Congress party, blaming its post-Independence policies for making India import-dependent. He accused Congress of neglecting India’s inherent strengths and entangling the nation in the “licence and quota raj” system, which he said discouraged domestic industry and encouraged corruption.
“Congress chose the import route when the era of globalisation began and resorted to scams worth lakhs of crores,” Modi alleged. He pointed to the collapse of India’s once-flourishing shipbuilding industry, which, he said, saw its global market share fall from 40% to just 5% in the past five decades due to poor policymaking.
Citing the old Hindi proverb “Sau dukhon ki ek dawa” (one remedy for a hundred ills), the Prime Minister reaffirmed his belief that Atmanirbharta is the only path to long-term national prosperity and global respect.
“India has no major enemy in the world today. We are moving forward with the spirit of global brotherhood,” Modi said. “But for peace, stability, and prosperity, we must stand on our own feet.”