India’s only enemy is dependence: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasized that India’s biggest enemy is its dependence on other nations. Speaking at the ‘Samudra se Samruddhi’ event in Gandhi Maidan, Bhavnagar, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of projects worth Rs 34,200 crore.

PM Modi stressed that India must produce everything domestically, from semiconductor chips to ships, to ensure economic growth, peace, and security. He highlighted that India spends Rs 6 lakh crore annually on shipping goods abroad, nearly equal to the defense budget, and noted that domestic ship usage in trade has fallen from 40% to 5% over the past five decades.

• Breaking down Modi’s self-reliance vision

Policies driving self-reliance

Semiconductors:

• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) supports chip and display fabs and domestic design capabilities.

• Production linked incentive (PLI) scheme encourages domestic manufacturing.

• $15.2 billion in approved chip plants signals strong government backing.

Shipbuilding:

• Shipbuilding financial assistance policy incentivizes green fuel (30%) and hybrid/electric vessels (20%).

• ₹70,000 crore package and maritime development fund (₹25,000 crore) aim to modernize shipyards and ports.

Trade and logistics:

• Infrastructure upgrades, streamlined customs, and policy reforms aim to reduce bottlenecks while remaining integrated with global supply chains.

Challenges, trade-offs, and strategic risks:

• High costs and technology gaps: Domestic production may initially be costlier than imports.

• Skilled workforce shortage: Limited manpower in semiconductors and shipbuilding affects innovation.

• Global integration vs isolation: Overemphasis on self-reliance could slow access to advanced technologies.

• Efficiency risks: Subsidies for uncompetitive industries could misallocate resources.

• Strategic risks: Heavy localization may hinder exports, reduce foreign investment, and isolate India from rapidly evolving global supply chains.

Taking a dig at previous governments, Modi said Congress-era policies like the license raj had suppressed Indian talent. He concluded that atmanirbharta (self-reliance) is the only medicine for India’s economic growth, security, and global standing.

Achieving self-reliance requires policy support, investment, skill development, technological upgrades, and global engagement, balancing domestic capability building with the realities of a fast-evolving global economy.