New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described India as the “mother of democracy” while addressing the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth. He said India has demonstrated that democratic institutions and processes can deliver stability, speed and scale while serving the aspirations of a diverse population.
Referring to the 2024 general elections, the Prime Minister said the exercise stood as the largest democratic event in human history. He noted that the elections witnessed participation from more than 8,000 candidates and over 700 political parties, reflecting the depth and vibrancy of India’s democratic framework. According to him, the scale of the elections reaffirmed the strength and credibility of democratic processes in the country.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the strong participation of women voters, stating that women in India are not only active participants but are increasingly taking leadership roles. He pointed out that India has a woman President, a woman Chief Minister in the national capital, and nearly 1.5 million elected women representatives across various levels of governance. This, he said, reflects the inclusive nature of Indian democracy and its ability to empower citizens across social and regional lines.
Speaking on India’s diversity, the Prime Minister said democracy in the country is enriched by the presence of hundreds of languages, cultures and traditions. He compared Indian democracy to a large tree with deep roots, noting that diversity is not seen as a challenge but as a strength that is celebrated and protected.
Turning to India’s development journey, the Prime Minister said the country is currently the fastest growing major economy. He highlighted India’s global leadership in digital payments through the Unified Payments Interface, describing it as the world’s largest such system. He also noted India’s position as the largest vaccine producer, the second largest steel producer and home to the third largest startup ecosystem globally.
The Prime Minister added that India has emerged as the third largest aviation market in the world and continues to work for inclusive growth without discrimination. He said around 25 crore people have moved out of poverty, underlining that India’s democracy delivers results because people remain at the centre of governance and national progress.
