Idea of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ applies to foreign policy too: Jaishankar
He also spoke about the challenges Indian businesses face in a volatile world and highlighted the importance of trust while advancing trade and technology partnerships.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar pushed back against the notion that democracy is in trouble globally when asked this question at the Munich Security Conference 2025.
Speaking at a panel discussion titled, ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience’ on Friday, he made his point with a powerful gesture as he displayed his inked index finger, a mark of having cast his vote in the recently held Delhi assembly election.
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The Minister was asked if democracy is really in trouble globally. Showing his inked index finger, he said, “We just had an election in my state. Last year, we had a national election. In Indian elections, two-thirds of the electorate votes. We count the votes in a single day, and nobody disputes the results after they are announced.”
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Rejecting the concerns about democratic decline, he highlighted the growing voter participation in India, noting that 20 per cent more people vote today than they did decades ago.
“The message is that somehow democracy is in trouble globally, and I will have to disagree with it. We are voting well, we are optimistic about democracy, and for us, democracy has actually delivered,” Jaishankar asserted.
Started the #MSC2025 with a panel on ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience’. Joined PM @jonasgahrstore, @ElissaSlotkin and @trzaskowski_.
Highlighted India as a democracy that delivers. Differed with the prevailing political pessimism. Spoke my mind on… pic.twitter.com/h3GUmeglst
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 14, 2025
Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, US Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski were also part of the high-profile panel discussion.
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