Japan marks 80th anniversary of WWII surrender as concern grows about fading memory
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Two Presidents ... Two Very Different Agendas - CNN This Morning with Audie Cornish - Podcast on CNN Podcasts
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Facing US tariffs, India's Modi vows self-reliance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday that India is seeking self-reliance in energy independence and the development of its own powerful defence systems, vowing to defend his country's interests "like a wall". Modi delivered his annual Independence Day address from the imposing ramparts of New Delhi's Red Fort at a time when India faces intense pressure and threats of additional tariffs from the United States. "Self-reliance is the foundation of developed India," Modi said after a flypast of military helicopters scattered flower petals above an invited crowd of thousands. "Freedom becomes meaningless if someone becomes too dependent on others". Ties between New Delhi and Washington have been strained by Trump's ultimatum that India end its purchases of Russian oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow as it wages its military offensive in Ukraine. India has said it "stands ready" to support efforts to end the Ukraine war and endorses a summit to be held between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. But the United States says it will double new import tariffs on India from 25 percent to 50 percent by August 27 if New Delhi does not switch crude suppliers. "We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs", said Modi, leader of the world's most populous nation and fifth-biggest economy. "But to build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement congratulating India's Independence Day, said the relations between the two nations were "consequential and far-reaching", and wanted to "ensure a brighter future for both". - 'Blood and water' - Modi urged scientists and engineers to focus on building key sectors and technologies including fighter jet engines, semiconductor chips and military hardware systems. "We will have India-made semiconductor chips in the market by the year's end," Modi said. He added that the country was also working towards building a space station and would have a "defence shield" in the next decade, without giving further details. Modi also honoured the Indian armed forces, which took part in a four-day conflict with arch-rival Pakistan that ended in a ceasefire on May 10. "India will give a befitting reply to any other misadventure by the enemy," he added, and referred to New Delhi's suspension of its cross-border water sharing treaty with Pakistan. "India has decided that blood and water will not flow together", he added. Modi did not speak directly about Trump, but said he would "stand like a wall" against any policy that hurts the interests of farmers. Agriculture employs vast numbers of people in India and has been a key sticking point in trade negotiations. "When economic selfishness is rising day by day... we must not just sit and worry about the crisis but instead focus on our strengths," Modi said. bb/pjm/cwl Solve the daily Crossword
News24
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South Korea's Lee Jae Myung offers North Korea olive branch: ‘North and South are not enemies'
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is working to build trust with North Korea. Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, said the North did not want to improve ties with the South. Liberation Day on 15 August is the only holiday both countries celebrate. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung vowed on Friday to 'respect' North Korea's political system and build 'military trust', a day after Pyongyang said it had no interest in improving relations with Seoul. Lee has pledged to reach out to the nuclear-armed North and pursue dialogue without preconditions since his election in June - a reversal from his hawkish predecessor. Speaking at an event marking the anniversary of liberation from Japanese rule, Lee said the South Korean government 'will take consistent measures to substantially reduce tensions and restore trust' with the North. 'We affirm our respect for the North's current system,' said Lee, adding Seoul had 'no intention of engaging in hostile acts'. 'I hope that North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue,' he said. North and South are not enemies. Lee Jae Myung Lee's speech comes a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, said the North has 'no will to improve relations' with the South. She also denied reports that North Korea was removing propaganda loudspeakers. The South's military said in June that the two countries had halted propaganda broadcasts along the demilitarised zone, adding last week that it had detected North Korean troops dismantling loudspeakers on the frontier. Friday's 15 August anniversary of liberation from Japan is the only public holiday celebrated in both North and South Korea, according to Seoul's National Institute for Unification Education. KCNA via KNS/AFP In Pyongyang, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un also made a speech at a liberation day celebration, urging the nation to overcome 'the challenges facing the DPRK for the great powerful country', using the North's official acronym. However, in an unusual move for a Liberation Day address, he made no mention of South Korea or its 'enemies'. The speech was before a Russian delegation to Pyongyang, including the speaker of the Duma, who read a congratulatory letter sent to Kim by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kim's speech was a 'stark contrast' to his sister's recent 'fiery statements', Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul told AFP. 'There were no messages aimed at South Korea or the United States, no references to enemies or hostile states, and no provocative mentions of nuclear forces,' said Yang. 'The intention would be to closely observe the moves of neighbouring countries in the near term, including President Lee Jae Myung's Liberation Day address,' he added.
