India story shows democracy has delivered, will continue to deliver, says PM Modi, offers to share India’s expertise
New Delhi, Dec 10 (FN Bureau) The India story has one clear message to the world: that democracy can deliver, that it has delivered and will continue to deliver, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday and added that India would be happy to share its expertise in holding free and fair elections and in enhancing transparency in governance with other countries. Addressing the Summit for Democracy being hosted by US President Joe Biden, PM Modi also called for jointly shaping global norms for emerging technologies like social media and crypto-currencies so that they are used to empower democracy and not undermine it. PM Modi said he was proud to represent the world’s largest democracy at the Summit. “The democratic spirit is integral to our civilization ethos,” he said, and cited ancient Indian civilisations, such as Lichhavi and Shakya, that flourished in India 2,500 years back. He said that in the 10th century the same democratic spirit was seen in the ‘Uttaramerur’ inscription (in Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu) that codified the principles of democratic participation.
PM Modi said that this very democratic spirit and ethos had made ancient India one of the most prosperous and that centuries of colonial rule “could not suppress the democratic spirit of the Indian people”. The same spirit found full expression with India’s independence, and led to an unparalleled story in democratic nation-building over the last 75 years, he added. “It is a story of unprecedented socio-economic inclusion in all spheres. It is a story of constant improvements in health, education, and human well-being at an un-imaginable scale. The India story has one clear message to the world. That democracy can deliver, that democracy has delivered, and that democracy will continue to deliver.” He said that the structural features like multi-party elections, independent judiciary, and free media – are important instruments of democracy. “However, the basic strength of democracy is the spirit and ethos that lie within our citizens and our societies. Democracy is not only of the people, by the people, for the people but also with the people, within the people,” PM Modi added. He said that different parts of the world follow different paths of democratic development and “there is much we can learn from each other”.
“We all need to constantly improve our democratic practices and systems. And, we all need to continuously enhance inclusion, transparency, human dignity, responsive grievance redressal and decentralization of power.” PM Modi said that the Democratic Summit “provides a timely platform for furthering cooperation among democracies” and that India would be happy to share its expertise in holding free and fair elections, and in enhancing transparency in all areas of governance through innovative digital solutions. “We must also jointly shape global norms for emerging technologies like social media and crypto-currencies, so that they are used to empower democracy, not to undermine it.” “By working together, democracies can meet the aspirations of our citizens and celebrate the democratic spirit of humanity. India stands ready to join fellow democracies in this noble endeavor,” PM Modi said.