‘Naya Bharat, Operation Sindoor’: PM Modi to Address Nation from Red Fort on 79th Independence Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the historic Red Fort, with this year’s speech reflecting the official themes of ‘Naya Bharat’ and ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Building on President Droupadi Murmu’s Independence Day message broadcast on Thursday, Modi is expected to highlight India’s collective progress, the opportunities ahead, and the sacrifices that secured the nation’s freedom. He will also emphasize India’s unwavering stance on national security, economic growth, and the expansion of welfare programs under his leadership.
Political analysts will be closely watching for any cues on foreign policy, particularly in light of tensions in India-US relations, with former President Trump repeatedly offering to mediate between India and Pakistan and using trade tariffs as leverage. Modi may also underscore the push for self-reliance, local manufacturing, and indigenous innovation as key pillars for achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
With this address, Modi surpasses the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s record of 11 consecutive speeches from the Red Fort, coming second only to Jawaharlal Nehru.
Independence Day Schedule at Red Fort
The celebrations, coordinated by the Indian Air Force, will include a ceremonial Guard of Honour, a 21-gun salute, and a special flypast displaying both the National Flag and the Operation Sindoor flag.
Modi will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and introduced to Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Delhi Area, who will escort him to the saluting base for the general salute and Guard of Honour inspection.
The Guard of Honour will include 96 personnel—one officer and 24 members each from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police—under the command of Wing Commander AS Sekhon. Following the inspection, Modi will proceed to the ramparts to greet the three service chiefs and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Flying Officer Rashika Sharma will assist in hoisting the Tricolour, synchronized with a 21-gun salute from the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns. A National Flag Guard of 128 personnel drawn equally from the armed forces and Delhi Police will present the Rashtriya Salute.
The Air Force band, led by Junior Warrant Officer M Deka, will perform the National Anthem, accompanied for the first time by 11 Agniveer Vayu musicians. As the flag is raised, two IAF Mi-17 helicopters, captained by Wing Commanders Vinay Poonia and Aditya Jaiswal, will shower flower petals over the venue—one carrying the National Flag and the other the Operation Sindoor flag
