We can't progress relying on others: PM Modi's fresh 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' push amid tariff war and H-1B visa concerns

Modi batted for self-reliance during his address at the inauguration of Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show 2025.

With a long-term vision, the Prime Minister said, "India is laying a strong foundation for the decades to come. Our vision and guiding principle is rooted in the concept of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Progress cannot be achieved by relying on others. In an ever-changing and competitive world, the growth of a nation heavily dependent on others is bound to face limitations.

"Therefore, India must prioritize self-reliance and reduce its dependence on other countries. Any product that can be manufactured within India should indeed be made in India."

Amid a drive to make indigenous weapons, the Prime Minister on Thursday reiterated his government's commitment to develop "Made in India" defence infrastructure.

"Our armed forces aspire to achieve self-reliance and minimize dependence on external sources. To this end, we are dedicated to developing a robust defense infrastructure within India, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that every component is proudly "Made in India," the PM said.

"To support this vision, we are fostering a thriving ecosystem, with Uttar Pradesh playing a pivotal role in this initiative. In line with these efforts, the production of AK-203 rifles will soon commence in a factory established with assistance from Russia," he added.

The PM touched upon GST 2.0, which has been rolled out in the backdrop of the tariff war that has significantly hurt the Indian business community.

The Trump administration has imposed a total of 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, hurting the India-US bilateral relationship.

"We introduced GST in 2017 as a significant step toward strengthening the economy, followed by key reforms in 2025. As the economy continues to grow, the tax burden is expected to ease gradually," Modi said.

"Efforts to reform and improve GST will remain an ongoing process," he added.

The new GST slabs- 5 percent and 18 percent with an additional 40 percent for sin products- came into effect on September 22.