Modi Outlines India's Self-Reliance Drive Towards Developed Nation By 2047

By Shakir Husain

HYDERABAD, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday outlined India’s push for greater self-reliance in key sectors, including defence, semiconductors and energy, as part of the country’s drive to become a developed nation by 2047.

In his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in Delhi, Modi said three semiconductor plants had been commissioned, with another five to eight expected to become operational over the next seven to eight years.

“This self-reliant India provides us with a major path towards becoming a developed India,” he said.

On energy security, Modi said nuclear power remained a major focus, with India aiming to achieve 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

“We aim to start five new nuclear reactors within this decade. India has reached a significant milestone this year by mastering fast-breeder nuclear technology and this success is a big step towards becoming self-sufficient in nuclear fuel,” he said.

In the renewable energy sector, Modi said India’s solar energy capacity had increased from two GW to 160 GW over the past 12 years.

He said India was also seeking new offshore oil and gas reserves, with 850 billion rupees (US$8.9 billion) allocated for exploration in areas that he said were previously “99 per cent no-go”.

Modi also highlighted military manufacturing as part of India’s self-reliance drive, calling for greater domestic capabilities in drones, counter-drone systems and hypersonic defence technologies.

He also encouraged Indians to buy locally produced goods to reduce reliance on imports and support domestic industries.

"There are many things available in the world, cheap and quick, but (buying them) does not build our own capabilities, nor does it test the strength of our capabilities," he said.

-- BERNAMA