NEW DELHI – On India’s 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort, focusing much of his speech on tensions with Pakistan. Marking India’s longest Independence Day address to date, Modi’s comments reflected a clear and measured approach to national security and self-reliance.
He strongly criticized cross-border terrorism and warned against nuclear threats, pushing for a firmer stand in dealings with Pakistan. This new tone from New Delhi has revived debates on India-Pakistan relations, especially after a quick response from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Modi Outlines Tough Approach to Pakistan
During his speech to a large audience on 15 August, Modi made India’s position clear. Referring to recent tensions, he said India would no longer put up with nuclear threats or separate terrorists from their supporters.
“We have decided not to accept nuclear blackmail. Our approach to cross-border attacks has changed,” he stated, referring directly to Operation Sindoor, the three-branch military action that followed the Pahalgam attack in April. The operation hit militants in Pakistan and Pakistan-held Kashmir, and was praised in India as proof of growing military strength and self-dependence.
“What our forces did in Operation Sindoor has not been seen for decades. Our soldiers have shown strength beyond what the enemy expected,” Modi continued, saying new evidence from the operation comes in every day.
Aside from security, Modi criticized the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, calling it unfair and blaming it for damaging Indian agriculture. He argued that the rivers which start in India should help Indian farmers, not those across the border.
“Blood and water cannot flow together,” he said, confirming that India has halted the treaty after the Pahalgam tragedy. “The rivers that rise here will serve our farmers alone,” he announced, making India’s new position clear.
Sharif Counters Modi’s Claims
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke out on Pakistan’s Independence Day. He warned that attempts to cut off or control water would breach the Indus Waters Treaty and promised a response if pushed.
Sharif also announced the creation of an Army Rocket Force Command to strengthen Pakistan’s defence, though details were sparse. He thanked US President Donald Trump for stepping in during the May clashes and suggested he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to calm the situation.
Pakistan’s defence minister dismissed the nuclear threats claimed by Indian officials, calling stories about Army Chief General Asim Munir fictional. Pakistan again denied any link to the Pahalgam attack and called for an unbiased inquiry, while India continued to hold Pakistan-based militants responsible.
Since dividing from each other in 1947, India and Pakistan have faced off in three wars and many smaller conflicts, with Kashmir always at the centre. The shocking attack in Pahalgam this April triggered artillery fire, missile strikes and drone use on both sides, nearly pushing both countries into another large-scale war. The fighting paused in May after US mediation, but Modi’s speech made it clear that India’s restraint could be temporary.
Modi stressed India’s drive for self-reliance, or Atmanirbhar Bharat, as central to its defence strategy. He presented Operation Sindoor as proof of India’s local abilities, saying, “Only because we are self-reliant could we act so fast in Operation Sindoor.” The logo for the operation stood out during the Independence Day event, shown alongside India’s Chenab Bridge as a symbol of the nation’s progress.
Pakistan’s Balancing Act on Diplomacy
Sharif worked to show Pakistan as willing to seek peace while also defending its key interests. He called attention to Trump’s role in easing the latest crisis, hoping to contrast Pakistan’s attitude with India’s tougher tone.
Still, his move to create a new rocket force signalled Pakistan’s willingness to answer back if provoked, especially with water security at stake. Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari labelled any treaty suspension an “attack on the Indus Valley Civilisation”, highlighting just how much the rivers mean to Pakistan’s people and farms.
Modi’s words also carried an indirect warning for the United States, as he criticized new tariffs imposed on Indian exports due to ongoing oil deals with Russia. Without naming President Trump directly, he spoke against “economic selfishness” and pushed for more local production and buying. “We won’t give in on our farmers’ needs,” Modi said, a sign India will stand firm on its policies even under international pressure.
Global audiences are watching the rising tensions, anxious about what a breakdown in the Indus Waters Treaty could bring. Both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons, and Islamabad has made it clear that any water diversion would be seen as a reason for war.
While much of Modi’s speech focused on security and Pakistan, he also shared plans for India’s future. These include producing home-grown semiconductor chips by year’s end, a tenfold increase in nuclear energy by 2047, and the Gaganyaan human spaceflight. Added to this were new job schemes worth Rs 1 lakh crore and GST cuts on everyday items, all part of the bigger vision for a developed India by 2047.
As India marks nearly eight decades of independence, Modi’s speech set out a direct approach to both foreign and domestic policy. His warnings to Pakistan may signal stronger action ahead, while the ongoing water dispute keeps the region tense. With both sides issuing tough statements and the world hoping for calm, South Asia remains under close watch.
