Prime Minister Modi unexpectedly named India's 'real enemy'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said his country's real enemy is not another country but its dependence on foreign powers. He warned that relying on other countries would harm the economy and national pride.
Speaking at an event in Gujarat where he launched maritime projects worth over $40 billion, Prime Minister Modi said India was “moving forward as a global friend” and had no major rivals.
“In the true sense, if we have any enemy, it is our dependence on other countries,” he added.
Mr. Modi stressed that India must be self-reliant to achieve prosperity and ensure "peace and stability." He called for promoting domestic production and reducing external dependence.
"As long as we wait for the mercy of others, our self-esteem will also be hurt... We cannot leave the future of future generations to others," he said.
To make his point, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the maritime sector, calling for a revival of domestic shipbuilding and high-tech industries. He noted that five decades ago, 40% of India’s trade was carried by Indian ships, compared to just 5% today.
The billions of dollars paid annually to foreign shipping companies now rival the country's defense budget, he said, adding that this dependence has caused significant damage.
“Whether it is chips or ships, we need to make them in India,” Mr. Modi declared.
Modi's comments come amid growing trade tensions with the United States. Last month, Washington imposed 25% tariffs on most Indian imports over its purchases of Russian oil, adding to tariffs already imposed after trade talks collapsed in August.
The White House also announced a new $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications, a move that industry group Nasscom said would target skilled Indian workers.
