S. Jaishankar Defends India’s Democracy at Munich Security Conference

At the Munich Security Conference 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar defended India’s democracy against the backdrop of global skepticism. He highlighted India’s high voter turnout and effective electoral practices, arguing that democracy works well in his country and does contribute positively to citizens’ lives, including food security. Jaishankar also called for a more nuanced understanding of democratic challenges across different regions.

At the Munich Security Conference 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar defended the state of democracy in India, countering the Western perspective that democracy is in a global decline. He engaged in a panel discussion themed ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience’ alongside notable figures such as Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, US Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.

Jaishankar articulated his optimistic stance on democracy, emphasizing his recent electoral experience. He remarked, “Well, before I do that, I appeared to be an optimist in what is relatively a pessimistic panel…. This, the mark you see on my nail, is a mark of a person who has just voted.” He noted that in recent elections, approximately 700 million out of 900 million eligible voters participated, highlighting the effectiveness of India’s electoral process.

In regards to the notion of global democratic challenges, Jaishankar asserted, “Nobody disputes the (election) result after it’s announced,” emphasizing the rising voter participation over the decades. He expressed that, contrary to the disheartening view worldwide, India is thriving in its democratic endeavors, asserting that “for us democracy is actually delivered.”

Responding to Senator Slotkin’s assertion that democracy does not guarantee necessities such as food, Jaishankar countered that democracy indeed plays a critical role in food distribution in India. He stated, “Actually, in my part of the world, it does.” He referred to government programs that provide food and nutrition support to around 800 million individuals in India.

Jaishankar pointed out that while democracy functions well in some regions, there are challenges elsewhere requiring honest dialogue about effectiveness. He highlighted complications stemming from globalization strategies adopted over the past few decades.

In a subsequent post on X, Jaishankar expressed his disagreement with prevailing political pessimism and addressed concerns regarding foreign interference in democratic processes. He acknowledged India’s dedication to its democratic ideals despite various challenges and encouraged Western nations to recognize successful democracy models outside their borders to foster global democratic progress.

In summary, S. Jaishankar’s remarks at the Munich Security Conference shed light on India’s robust democratic practices, emphasizing the high voter turnout and effective electoral processes. He distinguished between local and global perspectives on democracy, advocating for a recognition of diverse models and experiences across different nations. Jaishankar’s reflections underscore his belief in India’s unique path to democracy and the necessity for constructive dialogue regarding its efficacy.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com