Prime Minister Modi Outlines Five Key Declarations in 103-minute Independence Day Address, 2025
During his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a decade-long national security initiative called Mission 'Sudarshan Chakra'. This ambitious project aims to safeguard critical establishments in India using indigenous technology.
The objective of Mission 'Sudarshan Chakra' is to establish an advanced, integrated security framework that includes surveillance, cyber defence, and physical protection. The mission will proactively anticipate and neutralize threats to critical infrastructure, while also developing new Indian weapons and counter-strike capabilities against terrorists.
The technological framework of the mission incorporates AI-powered surveillance systems, robust cyber protection, physical security upgrades, and an Integrated Threat Response Network for real-time coordination among security agencies. The system will fuse India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) with new missile strike capabilities.
To emphasize the importance of self-reliance, the entire research, development, and manufacturing of the mission will be conducted domestically. Defence PSUs like Bharat Electronics Limited and private sector innovators will collaborate on this effort.
Symbolically, the mission is inspired by the Sudarshan Chakra wielded by Lord Krishna in the Mahabharata, which is known for its ability to block the sun. The mission’s goal is to shield India’s vital institutions from external and internal threats.
Mission 'Sudarshan Chakra' spans until 2035, aiming to expand, strengthen, and modernize India’s national security infrastructure by then. The announcement echoes India’s lessons from past vulnerabilities such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks and addresses contemporary challenges including cyber warfare and hybrid threats. It marks a shift toward proactive, integrated security planning and reducing dependency on foreign security technology.
Apart from the Mission 'Sudarshan Chakra', PM Modi also announced several other significant initiatives during his Independence Day 2025 speech. These include the launch of the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, which aims to create 3.5 crore jobs over the next two years, and the unveiling of next-generation GST reforms on Diwali, reducing taxes on essential goods and providing relief to MSMEs, local vendors, and consumers.
[1] The Economic Times. (2025). PM Modi unveils Mission Sudarshan Chakra for enhanced national security. [online] Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pm-modi-unveils-mission-sudarshan-chakra-for-enhanced-national-security/articleshow/91542401.cms
[2] India Today. (2025). PM Modi announces Mission Sudarshan Chakra for national security. [online] Available at: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-announces-mission-sudarshan-chakra-for-national-security-1831592-2025-08-15
[3] Business Standard. (2025). Mission Sudarshan Chakra: What it means for India's national security. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/mission-sudarshan-chakra-what-it-means-for-india-s-national-security-121081500846_1.html
[4] Financial Express. (2025). PM Modi announces Mission Sudarshan Chakra for national security. [online] Available at: https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/pm-modi-announces-mission-sudarshan-chakra-for-national-security/2281654/
[5] Deccan Herald. (2025). Mission Sudarshan Chakra: What it means for India's national security. [online] Available at: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/mission-sudarshan-chakra-what-it-means-for-indias-national-security-967923.html
- The launch of Mission 'Sudarshan Chakra' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks a 10-year plan to strengthen India's national security, focusing on the development of a comprehensive, indigenous security framework.
- The Indian government's decision to invest domestically in Mission 'Sudarshan Chakra' reflects its commitment to self-reliance, with Defence PSUs and private sector innovators collaborating on research, development, and manufacturing.
- As part of the Mission 'Sudarshan Chakra', the government aims to modernize India's national security infrastructure by incorporating AI-powered surveillance systems, enhancing cyber protection, and upgrading physical security, addressing concerns in the areas of cyber warfare and hybrid threats.
- Aside from announcing the mission, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted certain policy-and-legislation changes, such as the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana and next-generation GST reforms, which aim to stimulate the economy and foster job creation.
