PM Modi: India Transformed Its Diversity Into Democratic Strength

NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has transformed its immense diversity into the foundation of its democratic strength, proving to the world that strong institutions and processes can deliver stability, speed, and scale in national development.

Inaugurating the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at the Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House complex, Modi likened Indian democracy to a large tree with deep roots.

“When India gained independence, many doubted whether democracy could survive amidst such diversity. Today, this very diversity has become the greatest strength of Indian democracy,” the Prime Minister said.

Addressing concerns about development, he added, “Even skeptics who believed democracy might hinder progress have been proven wrong. India’s democratic institutions and processes ensure stability, speed, and scale in our development journey.”

PM Modi also highlighted India’s long-standing tradition of dialogue, debate, and collective decision making. “In India, democracy is about last mile delivery,” he said, emphasizing the participatory nature of governance.

The Prime Minister further stressed India’s global role in advocating for the Global South, noting, “During its G20 Presidency, India placed the priorities of the Global South at the center of the global agenda, ensuring their voices are heard on international platforms.”

The three day CSPOC conference, attended by around 60 speakers and presiding officers from across the Commonwealth, is deliberating on key parliamentary issues, including the role of presiding officers in strengthening democracy, the use of artificial intelligence in parliamentary functions, social media’s impact on legislators, and innovative methods to enhance citizen engagement beyond voting.