Here’s the rewritten version:

At the Munich Security Conference 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar challenged the Western narrative that democracy is in decline globally, instead emphasizing the strength of India’s democratic system.

Speaking on the panel discussion ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience,’ alongside Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, US Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, Jaishankar presented an optimistic perspective on democracy, contrasting with the prevailing pessimism in the room.

When asked about his views on Western democracy, Jaishankar began by holding up his index finger, marked with the ink of a recent vote. “This is the mark of someone who has just voted,” he stated, highlighting India’s ongoing elections. He noted that approximately two-thirds of eligible voters in India participate in elections, with 700 million out of 900 million voting in the last national election. “We count the votes in a single day,” he added, underscoring India’s electoral efficiency.

‘For us, democracy delivers’

Jaishankar rejected the claim that democracy is struggling worldwide. “Nobody disputes the election results after they are announced,” he stated, pointing out that voter participation in India has increased by 20% since the country adopted modern electoral practices.

“So, the idea that democracy is in trouble globally—I must disagree. We are living well, voting well, and optimistic about the future of our democracy. For us, democracy delivers,” he asserted.

Responding to US Senator Elissa Slotkin’s remark that “democracy doesn’t put food on the table,” Jaishankar countered, “In my part of the world, it does.” He explained that India’s democratic governance enables nutrition support and food distribution to 800 million people, directly impacting their well-being. “Different parts of the world have different conversations—please don’t assume this is a universal phenomenon,” he added.

Acknowledging challenges, Jaishankar remarked that some democratic systems function better than others. He urged a candid discussion on why certain democracies struggle, linking some issues to the global economic model followed over the past 25-30 years.

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote that at MSC 2025, he “differed with the prevailing political pessimism” and addressed concerns about “foreign interference.”

He highlighted that India chose democracy post-independence because of its pluralistic and consultative society. Historically, the West viewed democracy as a Western concept, but today, many nations in the Global South resonate more with India’s democratic experience than Western models.

Jaishankar emphasized that despite challenges, India has upheld its democratic values. He urged the West to acknowledge and learn from successful democratic models beyond its region.

The 61st Munich Security Conference, held in Munich, Germany, began on February 14 and will conclude on February 16. It serves as a premier platform for high-level discussions on global security and policy challenges.