Jaishankar criticizes Western double standards on democracy at Munich Conference
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar delivered a sharp critique of Western attitudes towards democracy during the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience,” Jaishankar remarked, “There was a time, I’ve to say this in all honesty, where the West treated democracy as a Western characteristic and was busy encouraging non-democratic forces in the Global South. It still does. Everything you value at home, you don’t practice abroad.”
Jaishankar also emphasized India’s strong democratic foundations and election processes. “The mark on my index finger is a mark of a person who just voted. We just had an election in my state. Last year, we had a national election. In Indian elections, two-thirds of national voters vote. We count the votes in a single day, and nobody disputes the results after they are announced. Today, in the modern era, 20 percent more voters vote than they did decades ago,” he stated.
Challenging global pessimism about democracy, Jaishankar asserted, “The message is that somehow democracy is in trouble globally, and I will have to disagree with it. We are voting well, we are optimistic about democracy, and for us, democracy has actually delivered.”
He also defended India’s decision to adopt democracy after gaining independence, explaining that it was a natural choice given India’s long history of being a consultative and pluralistic society. “India chose a democratic model after Independence, it chose that model because we had fundamentally a consultative, pluralistic society,” he noted.
Jaishankar shared his views on social media, writing, “Started the #MSC2025 with a panel on ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience’. Joined PM @jonasgahrstore, @ElissaSlotkin, and @trzaskowski. Highlighted India as a democracy that delivers. Differed with the prevailing political pessimism. Spoke my mind on foreign interference.”_
Held in Munich, Germany, the Munich Security Conference 2025 is a premier global forum for discussions on international security and geopolitical challenges.
