Sat Feb 15 02:56:15 UTC 2025: **Jaishankar Challenges Western View of Democracy at Munich Security Conference**
Munich, Germany – Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar challenged the prevailing narrative of global democratic decline at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Friday. Speaking on a panel alongside Norway’s Prime Minister, a US Senator, and the Mayor of Warsaw, Mr. Jaishankar highlighted India’s robust democracy as a counterpoint to what he described as Western pessimism.
Mr. Jaishankar pointed to India’s high voter turnout – approximately 700 million out of a 900 million electorate in the last national election – and the efficient single-day vote counting process as evidence of a thriving democracy. He directly refuted the assertion that democracy is globally in trouble, stating that “in my part of the world, it does [put food on the table],” referencing India’s extensive nutrition programs reaching 800 million people.
He criticized the West’s tendency to view democracy as a Western construct, suggesting that this perspective has historically led to support for non-democratic forces in the Global South and continues to manifest in inconsistencies between Western values at home and actions abroad. Mr. Jaishankar urged the West to acknowledge and learn from successful democratic models outside of the West, using India as a prime example of a nation that has maintained its democratic principles despite significant challenges. He concluded by emphasizing the need for honest conversations about the shortcomings of democracy where it fails to function effectively.
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