Joe Biden says safeguarding the rights and freedom of people against the rise of authoritarianism has become a "defining challenge". PM Modi said – the fundamental strength of democracy is in the ethos that lies within the citizens. "Democracy has delivered, and will continue to deliver," he noted.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a clarion call to 'democratic countries' including the big brother the United States, to come together to shape global norms for emerging technologies and social media to direct their potentials to empower democracy and not to undermine it.
"We must jointly shape global norms for emerging technologies like social media and crypto-currencies, so that they are used to empower democracy, not to undermine it," Mr Modi said in his national statement at the Summit for Democracy convened virtually by President Joe Biden.
The Prime Minister started his speech in a flamboyant style and said: "I am proud to represent the world's largest democracy at this Summit. The democratic spirit is integral to our civilization ethos."
He further said, "Elected republican city-states such as Lichhavi and Shakya flourished in India as far as 2500 years back. The same democratic spirit is seen in the 10th Century "Uttaramerur" inscription that codified the principles of democratic participation".
The same spirit again "found full expression" with India's independence, he said, adding-this 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 is a story of constant improvements in health, education, and human well-being at an un-imaginable scale."
The Prime Minister said the Summit convened by Biden provides "a timely platform for furthering cooperation among democracies."
"India would be happy to share its expertise in holding free and fair elections," the Prime Minister offered and mentioned other features such as "enhancing of transparency" in all areas of governance through innovative digital solutions. We must also jointly shape global norms for emerging technologies like social media and crypto-currencies," he said.
Mr Modi also said the different parts of the world follow different paths of democratic development.
"There is much we can learn from each other. We all need to constantly improve our democratic practices and systems. And, we all need to continuously enhance inclusion, transparency, human dignity, responsive grievance redressal and decentralization of power."
"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 said.
The Summit is being hosted virtually by the US President Mr Biden, smarting from his flip-flop in Afghanistan, is making a case for America to take a leading role in bolstering democracies.
Biden's mission is clearly against the rise of two autocratic hegemony – Russia and China. Pakistan stayed away from the Summit despite receiving the invitation.
Pakistan was among the four South Asian nations besides India, Maldives, and Nepal to receive an invitation. From Asia, the Philippines too was invited.
Biden has said that autocrats, as leaders across the world, are sowing doubts about the power of democracy and the durability of elected governments. He said, "Democracy doesn't happen by accident. We have to renew it with each generation."
PM Modi echoed the same spirit quite emphatically, "Democracy is not only of the people, by the people, for the people, but also with the people, within the people."
