S. Jaishankar Defends India’s Democracy at Munich Security Conference
S. Jaishankar, during the Munich Security Conference 2025, defended India’s democratic practices against the Western notion of a global democratic decline. He highlighted high voter turnout in India and emphasized democracy’s role in public welfare, countering claims that democracy fails to meet basic needs. Jaishankar called for a recognition of diverse democratic experiences around the world.
At the Munich Security Conference 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar refuted the Western perspective that democracy is facing a global crisis. He emphasized India’s robust democratic practices, stating that the majority of eligible voters participate in elections, with approximately 700 million casting their ballots in the most recent national elections. He highlighted the efficiency of India’s voting process, where results are counted in a single day.
During the panel titled ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience,’ Jaishankar responded to U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin’s assertion that democracy does not directly impact daily necessities. He countered this by noting that democracy enables the Indian government to provide food and nutrition support to 800 million individuals, thereby playing a crucial role in sustaining public health.
Jaishankar criticized the notion that democracy is universally failing and mentioned the varied experiences of democracies worldwide. He argued that many regions are seeing successful democratic governance while others struggle, encouraging honest discourse to address these disparities. He also attributed some issues to the globalization model pursued over the past few decades.
In a social media post, Jaishankar expressed his disagreement with prevalent pessimism regarding democracy and highlighted India’s commitment to a democratic model rooted in its consultative society. He suggested that nations in the Global South might find more relatable democratic experiences in India than in Western narratives.
The 61st Munich Security Conference commenced on February 14, 2025, and is designed to foster high-level discussions on crucial foreign and security policy challenges. Jaishankar’s comments aim to advocate for the recognition of varying democratic experiences across the globe.
In summary, S. Jaishankar’s remarks at the Munich Security Conference underscore the resilience of India’s democracy in contrast to Western perceptions of a global democratic decline. He highlighted voter participation rates in India and the essential role of democracy in providing for public welfare. Jaishankar urged for recognition of diverse democratic experiences and stressed the need for constructive dialogue regarding democracy’s challenges worldwide.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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