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- Red Fort Independence Day LIVE Photos Update; PM Narendra Modi 15 August 2026 Speech Droupadi Murmu | Swatantrata Diwas Parade
a few seconds agoAuthor: Sourav Rai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the nation from the Red Fort on 80th Independence Day after unfurling the Tricolur.
Prime Minister Modi called for greater self-reliance and urged citizens to support initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic production.
PM Modi says, “We must become self-reliant and protect our interests. Today, every Indian is getting connected with initiatives of Make in India, Swadeshi, Vocal for Local.”
Modi was received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. He was also presented with a Guard of Honour before the celebrations began.
PM received Guard of Honour as he arrived at Red Fort for Independence Day celebrations.
Prime Minister Modi also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day today.
15,000-20,000 soldiers have been deployed to secure the event. More than 1,000 CCTV cameras are monitoring the event. 5,000 special guests are attending.
Independence Day 2026: Focus on youth
- 19 medal winning students of International Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematical Olympiad 2026 will be honoured.
- Young innovators, interns of PM Internship Scheme and youth associated with startups will be made special guests.
- Youth trained under the PM Skill Development Scheme and My Bharat Volunteers will also participate.
- Beneficiaries of NAMASTE, PM AJAY and SEED schemes have also been invited.
- Students selected from quizzes and competitions of Delhi Government schools will also be special guests.

For minute-to-minute updates on the Independence Day celebrations, go through the blog below.
Live Updates
PM Modi highlighted India’s stable political mandate, democratic system and strong institutions.
Modi said the country has a stable government, a vibrant democracy, a strong judicial system and a Constitution that provides guidance.
He also said India was playing an increasingly important role in advancing the global green movement, highlighting the country’s commitment to sustainable development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Indians to harness the ‘Sapt Dhara’, seven streams of strength, to accelerate the country’s development.
Modi said India could achieve in the next five to seven years what had remained unattained over the previous five to seven decades. He said the combined strength of the seven streams would give the country fresh momentum, raise its ambitions and help it achieve and surpass new goals.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need to fully harness the energy, talent and potential of India’s youth, directing their capabilities towards nation-building and the creation of a stronger and more developed India.
PM Modi called for Indian technology to reach global markets, including digital public infrastructure and 6G technology developed in India.
Modi said the world had recognised that there was “no alternative to self-reliance in defence” and stressed the need for India to build greater domestic capabilities in the sector.
He said India should become ‘Atmanirbhar’ in defence and eventually emerge as a global supplier, leveraging next-generation defence technologies.
At the same time, Modi said India could not shut its market to the world, stressing the importance of producing high-quality goods that can compete globally.
Addressing the nation on India’s 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the trade agreements being signed by India were creating major opportunities for MSMEs and urged businesses not to miss out on them.
Modi said the goal of building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 was now standing on a strong foundation. He also stressed the need for India to change its work culture and mindset to achieve the country’s long-term ambitions.
Addressing the nation on India’s 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the rapid expansion of the country’s piped gas network.
Modi said piped gas was available in only 70 cities 12 years ago, but the network has now expanded to 700 cities. He added that 1.75 crore households across the country are currently connected to piped gas lines.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India successfully maintained adequate supplies of petrol, diesel, LPG and urea during the West Asia crisis, despite warnings that the disruption could lead to shortages.
Addressing the nation on Independence Day, Modi said some people had tried to create fear by claiming that India would run out of essential fuels and fertiliser. He said the government’s measures ensured there was no shortage of gas, fuel or urea in the country.
Modi said India had proved its critics wrong by securing sufficient energy supplies throughout the crisis.
Addressing the nation on India’s 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said strengthening energy security was an urgent priority.
He announced a target of 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047, adding that the government aims to commission five new nuclear reactors during the current decade.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited people from across India with helping drive the country’s progress over the past 12 years.
He acknowledged the efforts of Dalits, marginalised communities and tribal people, rural and urban residents, the poor and middle class, young people and the elderly, as well as women and men from every region of the country.
Modi said their unwavering resolve and dedication had helped propel the nation towards new heights, and expressed his respect for their contributions.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the critical role of semiconductors in the modern economy, saying chips are essential to everything from electronics and medical equipment to transport systems.
Modi said India has taken major steps towards achieving self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing, with three major semiconductor plants already operational. He added that production from these facilities is expected to be exported.
The Prime Minister said another five to eight semiconductor plants are likely to become operational over the next seven to eight years, describing the expansion as a key part of India’s journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat and the broader goal of building a Viksit Bharat.
On India’s 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the country’s economic and industrial growth over the past 12 years, citing significant increases across several sectors.
Modi said defence production has risen fourfold, while output from Khadi and Gram Udyog has increased fivefold and electronic manufacturing has grown sevenfold. He added that mobile phone production has increased by 33%, while digital transactions have doubled.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India can achieve its aspirations only by drawing strength from its dreams, determination and capabilities.
Modi urged citizens to move beyond “small dreams”, saying ambitious goals would broaden the country’s vision and expand its thinking. He also stressed the importance of having a firm resolve, saying strong determination enables people to find ways through difficulties and disasters.
Delivering his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the recent floods in parts of the country and assured affected families that the nation stands firmly with them.
“In the last few days, some parts of the country have witnessed floods, which have affected many people. I assure the affected families that the whole country stands by them,” Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today, every heart is beating with the rhythm of Vande Mataram. Aaj har ghar Tiranga hai, har mann Tiranga hai.”
The PM said that today the country pays homage to those great freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for independence. I pay my respectful homage to all freedom fighters, including revered Bapu.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses nation on 80th Independence Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurls the Tricolur at the Red Fort on 80th Independence Day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Red Fort to lead the nation’s 80th Independence Day celebrations. The PM is received by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the 80th Independence Day.
This year, the 80th Independence Day celebrations will focus on ‘youth power’ and the contribution of young people in building a developed India by 2047. Around 5,000 special guests from various walks of life have been invited to witness the celebrations at the Red Fort in Delhi.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated India on its 80th Independence Day. He said that thanks to the personal relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the US-India relationship continues to grow stronger and is stronger than ever.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hoists the National Flag at his Delhi residence on the 80th Independence Day.
Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, congratulated India on its Independence Day. He said that today is a day to celebrate India’s independence and its journey from an ancient civilization to a modern nation.
He further said that while India and Israel are different in size, their stories share many similarities. Both countries are embracing freedom and innovation while drawing strength from their ancient heritage.
Delhi is expected to remain mostly cloudy on Saturday, with spells of very light rain possible, including around the time of the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Security in Delhi is on high alert for the 80th Independence Day. Vehicles were checked at all entry points to the capital late last night.
In the last 12 Independence Day addresses, PM Modi announced major campaigns and goals like Jan Dhan, Swachh Bharat, Make in India, Digital India, Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, Ayushman Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Developed India.
He emphasized the CDS post in 2019, the fight against nepotism, corruption and appeasement in 2023, and the Surya Ghar Yojana in 2024. Youth, farmers, women empowerment and self-reliance were consistently the key issues in his speeches.
This will be PM Modi’s 13th address from the Red Fort. He first addressed the nation from the Red Fort in 2014.
Over the past 12 years, PM Modi has delivered an average of 85 minutes of speeches from the Red Fort. The longest was in 2025, lasting 103 minutes.









