Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked the democratic world to join hands in framing norms for social media and cryptocurrency so that they are used to empower democracy and not undermine it.

Clear message to the world

The India story has one clear message to the world. That democracy can deliver, that democracy has delivered, and that democracy will continue to deliver. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

“By working together, democracies can meet the aspirations of citizens and celebrate the democratic spirit of humanity. India stands ready to join the democracies in this nobel endeavour,” the PM said during his national statement at the Summit of Democracy hosted by US President Joe Biden.

The PM noted that different parts of world have followed different paths of democratic development, but there was much that each could learn from the other.

“We all need to constantly improve our democratic practices and systems and enhance inclusion, transparency, human dignity, responsive grievance redressal and decentralisation of power. In this context, today’s assembly provides a timely platform for furthering cooperation among democracies. India will be happy to share its expertise in holding free and fair elections and enhancing transparency in all areas of governance through innovative digital solutions,” said the PM.

The PM began his intervention by pointing out that the democratic spirit was integral to civilisational ethos. Elected republican city states such as Licchavi and Shakya flourished in India as far as 2,500 years ago. The same democratic spirit is seen in 10th century Uttaramerur inscription that codified the principles of democratic participation.

“This very democratic spirit and ethos had made ancient India one of the most prosperous. Centuries of colonial rule could not suppress the democratic spirit of Indians. It again found full expression with India’s Independence and led to an unparalleled story in democratic nation building over the last 75 years. It is a story of unprecedented socio-economic inclusion in all spheres. It’s a story of constant improvements. The India story has one clear message to the world – that democracy can deliver; that democracy has delivered and that democracy will continue to deliver,” he observed.

“The structural features like multi-party elections, independent judiciary and free media are important instruments of democracy. However, the basic strength of democracy is the spirit and ethos that lies within citizens and societies. Democracy is not only of the people, by the people, for the people, but also with the people, within the people,” said the PM.