Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India as the “mother of democracy,” saying that despite many global challenges, the country has become the fastest-growing major economy, proving that democracy can deliver.
Modi also stated in a virtual address to the Summit for Democracy 2023 that every initiative of his government is powered by the collective efforts of Indian citizens.
While addressing, Modi said that “India, despite the many global challenges, is the fastest growing major economy today. This itself is the best advertisement for the democracy and the world. This itself says that democracy can deliver.”
Modi was speaking at the second Democracy Summit, which was co-hosted by US President Joe Biden, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Speaking at President Yoon’s ‘Leader-level Plenary on Democracy Delivering Economic Growth and Shared Prosperity,’ he said elected leaders were common in ancient India long before the rest of the world.
Modi said that “Our epic Mahabharata describes the first duty of citizens as choosing their own leader. Our sacred vedas speak of political power being exercised by broad-based consultative bodies. There are also many historical evidences of republic states in ancient India where rulers were not hereditary.”