Jaishankar Affirms India's Democratic Model at Munich Security Conference

During the Munich Security Conference, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed a positive outlook on India's democracy, contrasting with the view that democracy is in decline globally. He highlighted the robust voter turnout in India, where approximately two-thirds of eligible voters participate in elections, and noted the successful conduct of recent national and local elections. Jaishankar emphasized that India's democratic model offers valuable insights for the West, advocating for a broader acceptance of successful governance models outside Western contexts. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance critiqued European leadership, identifying internal issues such as suppression of free speech and ineffective immigration policies as primary threats to security. Vance's remarks were supported by former President Trump, who echoed concerns about diminishing freedoms in Europe. The discussions reflect a growing dialogue about the state of democracy both in the West and in other parts of the world.