Modi to Address the Nation: GST Rate Cuts and ‘Swadesh’ Talks?

With the India-US trade tensions persisting with signs of distress emerging in heavy employment sectors, the Prime Minister may appeal to the nationalistic fervour among the people to go local in their spendings to spur the economic growth.

By MANISH ANAND

NEW DELHI, September 21, 2025 — A day ahead of the new regime of the GST coming into force, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on Sunday evening. Lately the Prime Minister has rarely been addressing the nation, with last that could be recalled is when he had announced the withdrawal of the contentious three farm laws in the face of massive farmers’ protests.

But the GST rate cuts, described as the Next Generation Reforms by the Ministers in the Modi government, have emerged as key narrative pivot for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The Prime Minister is likely to devote much of his time on the gains that may accrue to the people from the GST rate cuts.

Faced with the challenge to boost consumption to bring life to the Indian economy, the Modi government is hoping that the GST rate cuts will spur the people to spend. The ministers in the government claim that the GST rate cuts will bring ₹2 lakh crore in the hands of the people. Such a sum, if spent by the people in buying goods, could ignite the engines of manufacturing to give a fresh leash of life to ‘Make in India.’

The Prime Minister’s address to the nation also comes close on the heels of US President Donald Trump signing a decree to impose a fee of $100,000 on new H1B Visa applications. Commentators have dubbed Trump move as anti-India, for almost 70% of the H1B visas are granted to the Indian professionals.

With the backdrop of the H1B visa and the 50% US tariffs hanging on India, the Prime Minister is also likely to talk Swadeshi when he speaks to the people. His address comes just a day ahead of the commencement of Navratri festival. The one-month window beginning tomorrow is known to be India’s biggest shopping phase when the people buy and spend.

The Prime Minister may nudge the people to “buy local and be vocal about Make in India.” Modi in his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort had pivoted Swadeshi.

With the India-US trade tensions persisting with signs of distress emerging in heavy employment sectors, the Prime Minister may appeal to the nationalistic fervour among the people to go local in their spendings to spur the economic growth.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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