Highlighting the strength of Indian democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the country has proved that democratic institutions and democratic processes provide stability, speed and scale to democracy.
He recalled that when the country attained independence, apprehensions were expressed that democracy would not survive in a country with such diversity. But India turned this very diversity into the strength of its democracy, he added.
The PM was inaugurating the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House Complex.
The conference, being attended by top parliamentarians from the Commonwealth countries, will deliberate on a wide range of contemporary parliamentary issues, including the role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in maintaining strong democratic institutions, the use of artificial intelligence in parliamentary functioning, the impact of social media on Members of Parliament, innovative strategies to enhance public understanding of Parliament, and citizen participation beyond voting, among others.
The PM noted that another major concern after independence was that even if democracy somehow survived in India, development would not be possible. “India has proved that democratic institutions and democratic processes provide stability, speed, and scale to democracy,” he underlined.
Modi highlighted that today India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world, it has the world’s largest digital payment system through UPI, is the largest vaccine producer, the second-largest steel producer, the third-largest startup ecosystem, the third-largest aviation market, the fourth-largest railway network, the third-largest metro rail network, the largest milk producer, and the second-largest rice producer.
“In India, democracy means last-mile delivery,” he said, adding that the country works with a spirit of public welfare, ensuring benefits reach every individual without discrimination. He highlighted that due to this spirit of welfare, 25 crore people have come out of poverty in recent years. “In India, democracy delivers,” he remarked.
He was of the view that democracy delivers in India because the people are supreme. He went on to underline that their aspirations and dreams have been given priority. To ensure no obstacles come in their way, everything from processes to technology has been democratised.
He said the democratic spirit runs in India’s veins and minds. He cited the example of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the entire world was struggling. He noted that despite challenges within the country, India supplied medicines and vaccines to more than 150 nations. He emphasised that serving people’s interests, welfare, and well-being is India’s ethos, and this ethos has been nurtured by India’s democracy.
Underlining that many across the world know India as the largest democracy, he highlighted that the scale of India’s democracy is truly extraordinary. He also observed that at a time when the world is undergoing unprecedented transformation, it is also the moment for the Global South to chart new pathways. He highlighted India’s consistent effort to ensure that innovations benefit the entire Global South and the Commonwealth countries.
Noting that nearly 50 per cent of the Commonwealth’s total population resides in India, the PM highlighted that India has consistently sought to contribute as much as possible to the development of all nations.