"Democracy is in Our DNA": Modi's Reaffirmation of India's Commitment to Democracy

Strategic Insights -

During a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to democracy, stating that "democracy is in our DNA" and there is "absolutely no question of discrimination" regardless of caste, creed, religion, or gender. Modi's response came in response to a question from a journalist about the rights of minorities in India and the need to uphold free speech. Biden echoed Modi's sentiments, highlighting the importance of democratic values in the US-India relationship.

Key Takeaways:

  • Modi emphasized that democracy is a fundamental aspect of India's identity, stating that "democracy is in our DNA" and that there is "no question of discrimination" regardless of caste, creed, religion, or gender.
  • The Prime Minister cited India's Constitution as the foundation of the country's democratic values, stating that the government has taken the basic principles of democracy as its guiding principles.
  • Biden highlighted the importance of democratic values in the US-India relationship, stating that the two countries share a common democratic character and that their partnership is essential for maintaining and expanding democratic institutions globally.
  • Modi's government has implemented policies such as "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas" to promote inclusive growth and development, which aims to provide benefits to all citizens regardless of their background.
  • Modi stated that India's democratic values are inclusive and accessible to all, with no discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, or age.

Statistics:

  • India has a population of over 1.38 billion people (Source: World Bank, 2020)
  • The US-India relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world, with two-way trade worth over $143 billion (Source: US Census Bureau, 2020)
  • India is the world's largest democracy, with over 900 million eligible voters (Source: Election Commission of India, 2020)
  • The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to promote inclusive growth and development, including the "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas" program (Source: Government of India, 2020)

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd.
  • Contify.com
  • World Bank (2020). World Development Indicators.
  • US Census Bureau (2020). Trade Data Online.
  • Election Commission of India (2020). General Elections 2019.
  • Government of India (2020). Ministry of Planning, Implementation, and Economic Affairs.