S. Jaishankar, during a panel at the Munich Security Conference, refuted claims that democracy is struggling globally. He highlighted India’s electoral engagement, stating that nearly 700 million voted in recent national elections. Jaishankar argued that democracy provides tangible benefits, such as food security for many. He encouraged meaningful discussions about democratic challenges and emphasized that successful non-Western models should be acknowledged by the West.
During a panel at the Munich Security Conference, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar critiqued the Western perspective that sees democracy as a Western trait. He emphasized that he does not believe democracy is under threat globally, citing India’s robust voting participation as evidence. Jaishankar pointed out that recent Indian elections saw about 700 million out of 900 million eligible voters cast their ballots, with a significant increase in voter turnout over decades.
Jaishankar argued that, in contrast to the prevailing pessimism regarding democracy, India manages to deliver on democratic principles effectively. He presented his voting mark as a testament to active citizenship, asserting that despite challenges, the Indian democratic model remains strong and successful. He remarked that no one contests the electoral results once announced, further strengthening the legitimacy of the process in India.
Responding to U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin’s statement that democracy does not guarantee basic needs, Jaishankar countered by noting that India, as a democratic society, provides nutritional support to 800 million people. He stressed that the experiences of democracy vary globally and cautioned against assuming a universal crisis in democratic systems. Instead, he encouraged meaningful discussions to understand the conditions under which democracy may struggle in certain regions.
On the aspirations for democracy in the Global South, Jaishankar highlighted that while countries differ, there remains a hope for democracy to flourish based on India’s historical choice of a democratic framework. He criticized Western nations for often viewing democracy as a characteristic limited to their context while simultaneously fostering non-democratic entities abroad. He urged Western nations to recognize and learn from successful non-Western democratic models if they wish to promote democracy effectively on a global scale.
In his address, S. Jaishankar rejected the notion that democracy is faltering worldwide, advocating for India’s democratic resilience as a model. He highlighted the country’s electoral engagement and the practical impacts of democracy on citizens’ welfare. Jaishankar’s remarks call for a reevaluation of how democracy is perceived and practiced, especially in the context of the Global South. He emphasized the importance of recognizing diverse democratic successes beyond the West.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
