Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong pitch for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), framing dependence on other countries as the nation’s “biggest enemy.” His comments came in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose tariffs and a steep $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, a move that has sparked concerns among Indian professionals and businesses regarding the H-1B visas.

“India’s Only Enemy is Dependence”

Speaking at the ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ event in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, PM Modi said India has no major enemies in the world other than its reliance on foreign nations for basic needs.

“Today, India is moving forward with the spirit of Vishwabandhu. We have no major enemy in the world. If there is one enemy, it is our dependence on other countries. This is our biggest enemy, and together we must defeat it,” he remarked.

He emphasized that India must become self-reliant to withstand unilateral decisions by other nations, pointing directly to global trade policies and visa regulations that affect India’s growth.

Criticism of Past Policies

PM Modi also blamed past governments for leaving India vulnerable to external pressures.

• He said post-independence policies under Congress governments failed to realize India’s potential.
• The “license-quota raj” kept the country entangled and isolated from world markets.
• When globalization began, India turned heavily towards imports instead of developing domestic capacity.

“Therefore, even after six to seven decades of independence, India did not achieve the success it deserved,” he stated.

Push for Atmanirbhar Bharat

The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat. According to him, the future of 1.4 billion Indians cannot be left at the mercy of others, and the path forward must be built on domestic capabilities.

“The greater the foreign dependence, the greater the country’s failure. For global peace, stability, and prosperity, India must become self-reliant. If we remain dependent, our self-respect will be hurt,” he warned. He underlined that “there is only one medicine for a hundred sorrows, and that is a self-reliant India.”

“Chips or Ships, Must Make Them in India”

PM Modi specifically highlighted the need for domestic production in critical industries:

• Semiconductor chips and shipbuilding must be developed within India.
• Shipbuilding, called the “mother of all industries”, supports multiple sectors such as steel, machinery, textiles, IT systems, and MSMEs.
• India currently pays around ₹6 lakh crore annually to foreign firms for shipping services, nearly equal to its entire defence budget.

“Apart from being Atmanirbhar, India has no other option. Whether it’s a chip or a ship, we must make them in India,” he said.

Trump’s H-1B Executive Order

The backdrop to Modi’s remarks is President Trump’s new executive order, which introduced a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications.

According to the order:

• The H-1B program has been abused to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor.
• Large-scale misuse has undermined US economic and national security interests.
• Widespread adoption of exploitative practices has suppressed wages and displaced American workers, especially in critical STEM fields.

Trump argued that the visa was originally intended to fill gaps with highly skilled talent, but has instead been used to reduce costs, contributing to mass layoffs in the US.

Balancing Global Pressures and Domestic Growth

PM Modi’s statements signal a broader strategy of positioning India as less vulnerable to global shocks—whether they come from tariffs, visa restrictions, or supply chain disruptions. His call for domestic capacity-building aligns with India’s push into electronics, defence, shipping, and energy security.

The veiled reference to the H-1B issue underscores how global policy shifts can directly impact India’s workforce and economy, reinforcing the urgency of building domestic resilience.

Conclusion

As India navigates a changing global environment marked by protectionist policies in the US by H-1B and geopolitical uncertainty, Prime Minister Modi has made it clear that self-reliance is the nation’s strongest defence. His Bhavnagar speech framed dependence on other countries as India’s sole enemy, calling upon citizens, businesses, and policymakers to unite behind the Atmanirbhar vision.

Whether it is “chips or ships”, Modi’s message was unambiguous: India’s future prosperity and self-respect depend on building its own capabilities, reducing dependence, and standing strong against unilateral actions by other nations.

References

• Press Trust of India – Official Coverage
• Make in India – Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission
• Economic Times – H-1B Visa News and Updates
• Bloomberg – India Economy & Self-Reliance Coverage

Disclaimer: This article is based on information available from public sources. It has not been reported by EQMint journalists. EQMint has compiled and presented the content for informational purposes only and does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Readers are advised to verify details independently before relying on them.