S. Jaishankar flaunts inked finger to US Senator’s remark; Says democracy thrives beyond your...

Munich: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar pushed back against the prevailing Western narrative that democracy is in crisis worldwide. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2025, Jaishankar highlighted India's thriving democratic system and the massive voter participation that sets it apart.During a panel discussion on ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience,’ Jaishankar shared the stage with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. When questioned about the state of Western democracy, Jaishankar took a bold stance, stating, "I appear to be an optimist in what is relatively a pessimistic panel, if not room."

‘India votes and we count in a day’

Jaishankar emphasized India’s efficient electoral process, pointing out that 700 million out of 900 million eligible voters participated in the country’s latest national elections. He proudly showcased the ink mark on his finger as proof of his own participation, stating, “Nobody disputes the result after it’s announced, and we count the votes in a single day.”Rejecting the claim that democracy is failing globally, Jaishankar declared, “We are living well, voting well, and are optimistic about the direction of our democracy.” He noted that voter turnout has increased over the decades, reinforcing the success of India’s electoral process.

Jaishankar rebuts ‘Democracy doesn't put food on the table’ remark

Addressing U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin’s claim that “democracy doesn’t put food on the table,” Jaishankar offered a starkly different perspective. "Actually, in my part of the world, it does," he countered. He explained that India’s democratic system enables the government to provide nutrition support to 800 million people, ensuring food security and improved health.He urged the West to acknowledge that democracy functions differently across the world, cautioning against the assumption that global pessimism on democracy is a universal phenomenon. "Some parts of the world are going through different conversations. Please do not assume this is a universal phenomenon—it is not," he said.

‘Globalization model has led to problems’

Jaishankar acknowledged the challenges democracy faces but attributed many of them to the accumulated issues caused by globalization over the past 25-30 years. He called for an honest discussion about the factors impacting democracy in different regions.

India as a model for the Global South

Highlighting India’s democratic resilience, Jaishankar reminded the audience that India chose democracy post-independence because of its pluralistic and consultative societal structure. He noted that while democracy was once seen as a Western characteristic, today, many Global South nations find India’s democratic journey more relatable than Western models.Jaishankar urged Western nations to embrace diverse successful democratic models beyond their region if they truly want democracy to flourish worldwide. "If you want democracy to triumph, be open to learning from models outside your own," he advised.

Munich security conference 2025: A global debate on security and politics

The 61st Munich Security Conference, held in Germany from February 14 to February 16, 2025, serves as a key global platform for discussions on pressing foreign policy and security challenges. Jaishankar’s remarks at the conference underscored India’s confidence in its democratic system while challenging the Western notion of a global democratic decline.