In a virtual ‘Summit for Democracy’ hosted by the American President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “We must shape global norms for emerging technologies like social media, cryptocurrencies“. He remarked that it’s important that these technologies should be used for empowering democracy rather than undermining it.
PM Modi began his briefing by calling it a prideful moment for him. To represent the world’s largest democracy at this stage is a tremendous thing. He justified the democratic spirit which is an integral part of India’s civilizational ethos. The same spirit has presided the state on an unprecedented road in democratic nation-building for more than 75 years. While stressing why democracy is needed and talking about India’s saga with democracy, PM Modi underlined that it’s visible that democracy can deliver, has delivered, and will also continue to deliver.
The Indian PM then emphasized that democracy is not just limited to of, by, or for the people but it stays with the people, and also democracy is within the people. He called structural features such as multi-party polls, independent judiciary as well as media a vital instrument in conserving democratic rule. Although Modi did acknowledge spirit along with ethos as the basic level of democratic strength in the nation.
Modi said that distinct nations had gone for distinct paths of democratic development throughout the globe’s history. Each nation is a unique example from which many lessons can be learned. In addition to these remarks, PM Modi asserted that there is a need to bring modifications to current democratic practices and systems since times are changing. At present, more transparency, human dignity, inclusion, and lastly responsive grievance redressal have become more and more essential.
PM pointed towards cooperation at a global degree and thereafter proposed better transparency by sharing India’s craft in holding free and fair elections. He also offered to enhance transparency in various areas of governance through creative as well as new digital solutions.
The US Summit for Democracy was majorly about the challenges faced by democratic countries. Almost 80 world leaders attended the summit virtually to discuss the issues as well as solutions to their issues. Even so, Pakistan declined to join whereas China was not invited to the summit. More than anything, the summit was intended to indirectly hover China who is already confronting a collective diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics from countries mainly from the west and a few from other parts of the world. Nonetheless, it’s also not a surprise that China was not invited.