PM Modi inaugurates projects worth Rs 34,200 cr in Gujarat, calls for self-reliance in shipping sector

He said, “Chips or ships, we must make them in India.” He said India pays Rs 6 lakh crore every year to foreign companies to ship goods across the world, which is almost equal to the defence budget. He said 50 years ago, 40 per cent of the country’s trade moved through India-made ships, but that has come down to 5 per cent.

“Congress suppressed the inherent talent of Indians by placing restrictions such as licence raj,” he said, adding that there is only one medicine for all problems of India and that is atmanirbharta (self-reliance). “The main enemy of India is the dependence on other countries.”

#WATCH | Gujarat | Addressing a public rally in Bhavnagar, PM Modi says, “Duniya mein koi hamara bada dushman nahi hai. Agar hamara koi dushman hai toh woh hai dusre deshon par hamari nirbharta…”

“Today, India is moving forward with the spirit of ‘Vishwabandhu’. We have no… pic.twitter.com/f6zNRbN9Rc

— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2025

Addressing the rally, PM Modi said, “I have come to Bhavnagar at a time when the holy festival of Navratri is about to start. This time, because of the reduced GST rates, the markets will be more colourful.”

#WATCH | Gujarat | Addressing a public rally in Bhavnagar, PM Modi says, “I have come to Bhavnagar at a time when the holy festival of Navratri is about to start. This time, because of the reduced GST rates, the markets will be more colourful… I apologise for speaking in Hindi… pic.twitter.com/3P5KROM0GP

— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2025

Earlier in the day, Modi held a roadshow in Bhavnagar which began from the airport and ended at Gandhi Maidan, the venue of his public meeting. People gathered on both sides of the road and greeted him with flowers. Dance troupes performed on stages set up along the route. Banners on Operation Sindoor and posters thanking him for GST reforms were put up along the route.