S Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, took a strong stand in defence of India's democracy at the Munich Security Conference 2025. He countered the Western narrative that democracy is in trouble worldwide and emphasised that India’s democratic system remains robust and effective.
Speaking at a panel discussion titled Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience, Jaishankar shared the stage with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, US Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski.
While the discussion largely focused on concerns over the state of democracy globally, Jaishankar offered a different perspective.
He began by holding up his inked index finger, a mark of having recently voted, to demonstrate India's commitment to democracy.
He highlighted that India conducts massive elections, where about 900 million people are eligible to vote, and nearly 700 million exercise their franchise. He pointed out that votes are counted in a single day and that there is no dispute over the results once they are announced.
Jaishankar challenged the view that democracy is in decline, stating that in India, voter participation has only increased over the decades. He asserted that the belief that democracy is struggling globally is not applicable everywhere.
He stressed that India’s democratic process continues to function effectively, ensuring representation and governance.
Responding to US Senator Elissa Slotkin's remark that "democracy doesn’t put food on the table," Jaishankar strongly disagreed. He stated that in India, democracy directly contributes to citizens’ welfare by ensuring large-scale social programmes.
He mentioned that 800 million people in India receive nutrition and food support, illustrating how democracy is not just about elections but also about improving lives.
Jaishankar acknowledged that democracy might be facing difficulties in some regions, but he urged for an honest assessment of why it is not working well in certain parts of the world.
He attributed many of the challenges to the globalisation model followed over the past few decades, which has had different impacts across nations.
In a post on social media, Jaishankar reaffirmed his stance, stating that he differed from the prevailing political pessimism at the Munich Security Conference and spoke openly about issues such as foreign interference in democratic processes.
Reflecting on India’s journey, he pointed out that the country has remained committed to its democratic values despite facing various challenges. He remarked that after independence, India deliberately chose democracy because its society was fundamentally consultative and pluralistic.
He further noted that many nations in the Global South relate more to India’s democratic experience than to the Western model.
Jaishankar also urged Western nations to recognise successful democratic models beyond their own regions. He suggested that for democracy to thrive globally, it is essential to acknowledge and learn from diverse experiences rather than assuming a single template for all.
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