New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech on August 15, 2025, received enthusiastic acclaim from India’s premier industry bodies, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The industry leaders praised the Prime Minister’s strong emphasis on youth empowerment, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) growth, indigenous capabilities, and sweeping economic reforms.
PM’s Youth and Employment Initiatives Garner Praise
CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee highlighted the PM’s announcement of the ₹1 lakh crore PM-Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, which offers ₹15,000 support to first-time job seekers. Banerjee described this as a “transformative step” poised to generate large-scale employment, enhance skill development, and secure sustainable livelihoods for India’s youth.
Boosting MSMEs: The Backbone of India’s Economy
Banerjee further emphasized that MSMEs, considered the backbone of India’s economy, will benefit significantly from improved access to talent, focused incentives, and a stronger domestic manufacturing ecosystem. These measures will enable MSMEs to scale operations, innovate, and become integral parts of global value chains.
Focus on Indigenous Capabilities and National Security
The CII Director General also welcomed the Prime Minister’s focus on indigenous sectors such as semiconductors, defence — including the newly launched Sudarshan Chakra Mission — renewable energy, and critical infrastructure self-reliance. Commenting on Operation Sindoor, Banerjee noted that it “underscores the imperative of safeguarding national and economic security through indigenous systems, advanced military technologies, and robust defence supply chains.”
CII reaffirmed its commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, facilitating MSME market linkages, and fostering skill-building and infrastructure development for a self-sustaining Indian economy.
FICCI Applauds Reform Agenda and Ease of Doing Business Focus
FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal echoed these sentiments, describing the PM’s vision as a “call for all stakeholders to work together towards making India a self-reliant economic powerhouse.” Agarwal welcomed the announcement of a comprehensive Goods and Services Tax (GST) review after eight years, aimed at easing the tax burden and enhancing the ease of doing business in India.
He further appreciated the government’s pledge to reduce compliances, scrap outdated regulations, and establish a dedicated Reform Task Force. These initiatives, he said, will strengthen India’s standing as a global manufacturing hub.
Agarwal also endorsed the PM’s goal of producing “world-class quality products at competitive costs,” assuring that the industry is prepared to collaborate closely with the government to realize this vision.
