Speaking for nearly one hour and forty-five minutes on Friday morning, Modi pledged economic relief for citizens and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to national security and strong border protection.

Midway through his speech, the Prime Minister turned his attention to rising geopolitical tensions in South Asia, launching a sharp rebuke of Pakistan. He accused Pakistani-backed militants of crossing the border and killing innocent civilians after asking their religion — an act, he said, that stunned the world. In response, he explained, the government authorized Operation Sindoor.

Modi revealed that after the April 22 attack, India’s military was granted complete operational freedom to respond — including when, where, and how. “This response marks a turning point — something the country hasn’t seen in decades,” he added.

In a more optimistic segment of his address, Modi also shared economic updates. “This Diwali, we’re bringing double the joy,” he announced. “We’re rolling out a new generation of GST reforms, which will reduce the overall tax burden across the country.”

According to government sources, preparations for the reforms have been underway since July. The changes aim to modernize infrastructure and simplify procedures, making the GST system more transparent and efficient for both businesses and taxpayers.

Economists and policy experts interpret the move as a step toward accelerating economic growth and boosting consumer purchasing power, particularly in the retail sector.