Prime Minister Modi to address nation at 5 pm today
PTC News Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation at 5 p.m. on Sunday, officials confirmed, though the subject of his speech has not yet been disclosed.
The address coincides with the eve of Navratri, when the new GST rate cuts will take effect, reducing prices on a range of products. From September 22 (Monday), the tax structure will shift from four slabs to two as part of the government’s reform push.
The timing is significant, as it comes amid strained India-US relations following Washington’s imposition of 50% tariffs, including an extra 25% duty, in response to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. The US and its allies have sanctioned Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The speech also follows the Trump administration’s decision to raise the annual fee for new H-1B visa applications to USD 100,000 (over ₹88 lakh), a move that triggered anxiety among Indian professionals, who make up the majority of H-1B holders. The US later clarified that the fee applies only to new petitions, not to existing visa holders or those re-entering the country.
Hinting at these developments, PM Modi remarked on Saturday that India’s greatest challenge lies in its dependence on foreign nations. He stressed the need for self-reliance across key sectors, including semiconductors and shipbuilding.
- With inputs from agencies
