Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 5 PM IST today, September 21, 2025, on the eve of Navratri, as confirmed by government officials. While the exact topic remains unconfirmed, the address is widely expected to center on the rollout of GST 2.0 reforms, effective from September 22, which will slash prices on consumer goods, and India’s push for self-reliance amid strained US relations over tariffs and H-1B visa fee hikes.
Expected Focus: GST 2.0 and Economic Boost
The address coincides with the implementation of GST reforms, announced by Modi as a “Diwali gift” during his August 15, 2025, Independence Day speech. The GST Council, led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved a simplified two-tier tax structure (5% and 18%, with a 40% rate for luxury and sin goods) on September 4, replacing the previous four slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%). Key changes include:
- Price Reductions: Essentials like ghee, paneer, butter, snacks, toothpaste, and hair oil drop to 5% from 12% or 18%. Aspirational goods like TVs, ACs, washing machines, and small cars (petrol up to 1200 cc, diesel up to 1500 cc) move to 18% from 28%.
- Healthcare Relief: GST on 33 life-saving drugs, glucometers, and diagnostic kits reduced to 0% or 5%. Cement GST cut from 28% to 18% benefits homebuyers.
- Economic Impact: The reforms, costing ₹48,000 crore in revenue, aim to boost consumption, potentially increasing GDP by 0.2–0.3% in FY 2025-26. FMCG firms like Amul have already lowered prices on products like butter and ghee by up to ₹40.
Modi is likely to highlight these cuts as a festive season boost for farmers, MSMEs, and the middle class, reinforcing his vision of economic self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Addressing US Tensions
The address comes amid frosty India-US relations, driven by:
- US Tariffs: In August 2025, President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports, including a 25% levy over India’s Russian oil purchases, citing support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. India called the tariffs “unjustified,” with exports like textiles and jewelry ($87 billion in 2024) at risk. Trade talks resume this week, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visiting the US on September 22.
- H-1B Visa Fee Hike: Trump’s September 19 proclamation set a $100,000 annual H-1B visa fee, sparking panic among Indian IT firms and professionals, who hold 71% of the 106,922 H-1B visas issued in FY25. The US clarified the fee applies only to new petitions, not existing holders or reentries, but Nasscom warned of disruptions to India’s $283 billion IT sector, with costs for firms like TCS potentially rising by $550 million annually.
In his September 20 Gujarat speech, Modi indirectly addressed these issues, calling foreign dependence India’s “biggest enemy” and urging self-reliance in semiconductors and shipbuilding. He criticized past Congress governments for neglecting domestic industries, citing India’s ₹6 lakh crore annual payments to foreign shipping firms.
Political and Festive Context
The address follows Modi’s Gujarat visit, where he launched ₹34,200 crore in projects and extended Mahalaya greetings, marking the start of Durga Puja. Opposition leaders, including Congress’s Pawan Khera and AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, have criticized Modi’s silence on US policies, with Khera tweeting, “Don’t bow so low that your turban falls off.” Modi may use the address to counter these narratives, emphasizing India’s strategic autonomy and economic resilience.
Why It Matters
Modi’s speech is poised to rally public support for GST 2.0, which promises cheaper goods during Navratri and Diwali, while addressing global challenges like US tariffs and visa restrictions. By framing self-reliance as a response to external pressures, Modi aims to strengthen India’s economic and geopolitical standing. The address, expected to blend festive optimism with policy announcements, could also clarify India’s stance ahead of Goyal’s US visit and ongoing trade talks.
