# Modi delivers 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from Red Fort

2026-08-15T02:17:47+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hoisted the National Flag at the Red Fort and delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech, becoming the second prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to reach the milestone, The Times of India reports. Nehru delivered 17 consecutive speeches between 1947 and 1963, while Modi surpassed Indira Gandhi’s tally of 11. India marked its 80th Independence Day with ceremonies centred on ‘Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047’ and 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’. The National Song was performed at the Red Fort for the first time. The Hindu reported that more than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in Delhi. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said constitutional values and democratic institutions had faced serious challenges over the past decade.

## Coverage

- ndtv.com <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/80th-independence-day-2026-live-updates-from-red-fort-pm-modi-speech-on-15-august-celebration-vande-mataram-11912013>
- ndtvprofit.com <https://www.ndtvprofit.com/india/independence-day-2026-live-streaming-when-where-to-watch-pm-modis-speech-red-fort-celebrations-11911671>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-80th-independence-day-2026-live-updates-on-august-15-pm-modi-speech-red-fort/article71348349.ece>
- ndtvprofit.com <https://www.ndtvprofit.com/india/80th-independence-day-india-live-india-pm-narendra-modi-red-fort-vande-mataram-independence-day-photos-wishes-11912533#publisher=newsstand>
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/narendra-modi-becomes-second-pm-to-deliver-13th-consecutive-independence-day-speech/articleshow/133254273.cms>

Tags: Congress, Independence Day, Mallikarjun Kharge, Narendra Modi, Red Fort, Vande Mataram
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