External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated his criticism of the West regarding what he termed the “double standards” of worldwide democracy during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference.
Addressing Western leaders, including a US Senator, Jaishankar asserted directly during the discussion that the West regarded democracy as a “Western trait” and had been actively supporting “non-democratic elements” in the Global South.
In addition to Jaishankar, the panel included Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, US Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.
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In the panel discussion, Jaishankar remarked that nations of the Global South tend to connect and feel that the “Indian experience is more applicable to their societies than it may be to others”. He also mentioned that it is essential for the West to adopt the effective models of non-Western nations if it desires democracy to flourish.
“There was an era, and I must say this truthfully, when the West regarded democracy as a Western trait while actively promoting non-democratic elements in the Global South, and it continues to do so. In numerous instances, I can reference some quite recent examples where everything you claim to value at home isn’t practiced overseas. Therefore, I believe that the rest of the Global South will observe the achievements, deficiencies, and the actions of other nations,” he stated.
When asked if nations in the Global South continue to seek a democratic framework and a model that would engage citizens, the External Affairs Minister stated, “Well, in a way, all major countries are distinctive to a degree. However, we would certainly wish, I mean to the degree, we view democracy as a global ambition, ideally an actuality. After gaining independence, India opted for a democratic framework, selecting this model due to its inherent nature as a fundamentally consultative and pluralistic society.”
He criticized “self-proclaimed guardians” who doubted the principles of democracy, stating that individuals like them would ultimately face opposition.
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“To self-designated guardians who have never participated in an election, who are unrelated to democracy, is essentially instructing the rest of the world on what is correct and what is incorrect in a democracy.” “I believe it is, for me, unavoidable that it will face opposition,” he stated.
Jaishankar expressed a differing opinion regarding the notion that global democracy faces a threat, stating that India is a democratic nation that provides nutritional assistance to 800 million individuals. He displayed his ink-stained index finger, stating, “for us, democracy is truly realized.”
