During the Munich Security Conference 2025, S. Jaishankar defended India’s democracy against the Western critique of global democratic decline. He showcased high voter engagement, addressed claims about democracy’s role in societal welfare, and called for a nuanced understanding of varying democratic experiences across the world, urging the West to recognize diverse democratic models.
At the Munich Security Conference 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar challenged the prevailing Western narrative regarding global democratic decline. During a panel discussion titled “Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience,” he underscored India’s thriving democratic processes, contrasting them with perceptions from the West.
Jaishankar expressed optimism amid a panel that he deemed pessimistic about global democracy’s health. He highlighted his voter-inked finger as a symbol of active participation, pointing out that recent elections witnessed around 700 million votes from an eligible 900 million electorate. “We count the votes in a single day,” he stated.
He countered claims of widespread democratic issues, asserting, “Nobody disputes the election result after it’s announced… democracy is delivered.” Jaishankar noted an increase in voter turnout over decades, indicating ongoing engagement and support for democracy in India despite claims of global troubles.
Addressing Senator Elissa Slotkin’s comment that “democracy doesn’t put food on the table,” Jaishankar contended that in India, it indeed does. He cited nutrition support extended to 800 million people as evidence of democracy’s impactful role in ensuring social welfare, stressing the need for context-specific discussions regarding democratic functionality.
Jaishankar elaborated on the varied experiences of democracy worldwide, acknowledging that while it works well in certain regions, challenges exist elsewhere. He suggested these issues stemmed partially from the globalisation model of the last 30 years, advocating for honest dialogues to understand and address these discrepancies.
He emphasized India’s commitment to democracy since independence, noting that many in the Global South may identify more closely with India’s democratic journey than with Western examples. Jaishankar urged the West to recognize successful democratic models beyond its borders, which could benefit the global democratic discourse.
As the 61st Munich Security Conference unfolds from February 14 to 16, it serves as a platform for crucial discussions on foreign policy and global security challenges, with Jaishankar advocating for a broader understanding of democracy in light of diverse global realities.
In summary, S. Jaishankar’s remarks at the Munich Security Conference reaffirmed India’s robust democratic processes and challenged the Western narrative of democratic decline. He highlighted the importance of context in discussions about democracy while advocating for recognition of diverse democratic models across the globe. Jaishankar encouraged the West to appreciate global democratic experiences beyond its own.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
