Munich, February 15, 2025 :
The external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, expressed confidence in India’s democratic strength, reiterating that democracy has always delivered for its people. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference (MSC), he highlighted India’s robust electoral process, referencing the recent elections in Delhi and the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Participating in a panel discussion on “Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience” alongside Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, Jaishankar rejected the notion of a global democratic decline.
“I appear to be an optimist in what seems to be a pessimistic panel if not room. Before answering, let me raise my index finger this mark on my nail signifies that I have just voted. We recently held an election in my state. Last year, we had a national election where nearly 700 million out of 900 million eligible voters participated. We count votes in a single day, and once results are announced, they are not disputed,” he stated.
Jaishankar highlighted that voter turnout in India has increased by 20 percent over the decades. “I reject the idea that democracy is in crisis worldwide. In India, we are voting well, living well, and remain optimistic about the future of our democracy, which has indeed delivered,” he said.
Addressing India’s large-scale welfare programs, he countered the argument that democracy does not ensure economic well-being. “Senator, you mentioned that democracy doesn’t put food on the table. In my part of the world, it does. We provide nutrition support to 800 million people, ensuring their health and well-being,” he stated.
On global challenges, Jaishankar acknowledged the impact of globalization but refuted claims that democracy is failing universally. He also stressed that India’s democratic experience is more relevant to many developing nations than Western models.
“If the West wants democracy to prevail globally, it must acknowledge and embrace successful democratic models outside its sphere,” he concluded.
The 61st MSC is taking place in Munich, Germany, from February 14 to 16, offering a platform for high-level discussions on key foreign and security policy issues.
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