S. Jaishankar Defends India’s Democracy at Munich Security Conference 2025
At the 2025 Munich Security Conference, S. Jaishankar defended India’s democracy against Western claims of global democratic decline. He emphasized high voter turnout and the tangible benefits of democracy, countering critiques with evidence from India’s electoral participation. Jaishankar urged a more inclusive understanding of democracy, recognizing successes outside the Western context.
At the Munich Security Conference 2025, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar defended the state of democracy in India against a backdrop of Western critiques suggesting a global decline in democratic practices. Engaging in a panel discussion on ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience,’ Jaishankar expressed optimism about India’s democratic processes, contrasting them with the views presented by other panel members, including US Senator Elissa Slotkin and Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Jaishankar pointed to the high voter turnout in India during recent elections, noting that approximately 700 million of the eligible 900 million voters participated in the national elections, a testament to the vitality of democracy in his country. He emphasized that no one disputes electoral outcomes in India and that voter participation has increased over time, challenging the notion that democracy is in distress globally.
In response to Senator Slotkin’s remark that “democracy doesn’t put food on the table,” Jaishankar argued that in India, democratic governance provides vital nutrition and food support to 800 million individuals. He indicated that discussions around democracy are diverse and region-specific, urging acknowledgment of varying democratic experiences across the globe.
While acknowledging the existence of problems in some democratic systems, he attributed many challenges to the globalized model of the past 25-30 years. Jaishankar urged the West to recognize successful non-Western democratic frameworks that could be beneficial to various societies. He noted India’s commitment to its democratic path despite facing numerous challenges over the years, reinforcing that India’s experience may resonate more with the Global South than Western paradigms.
In a statement on X, Jaishankar reflected on the prevailing political pessimism related to democracy, highlighting the importance of addressing foreign interference. The 61st Munich Security Conference provided a crucial forum for discussing pertinent international issues and collective security concerns, running from February 14 to February 16.
S. Jaishankar effectively articulated a defense of India’s democratic framework at the Munich Security Conference, countering criticisms of global democratic decline with evidence of robust electoral engagement in India. He underscored the role of democracy in ensuring social welfare and highlighted the need for diverse perspectives on democratic practices worldwide. His call for the West to embrace successful non-Western democratic models suggests a shift towards recognizing varied democratic narratives across different regions.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
