DESCRIBING India as the mother of democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the country has become the fastest-growing major economy despite many global challenges and this proves that the democracy can deliver. In a virtual address to the Summit for Democracy, 2023, Modi also said that every initiative of his Government is powered by collective efforts of the citizens of India.

“India, despite the many global challenges, is the fastest growing major economy today. This itself is the best advertisement for the democracy and the world. This itself says that democracy can deliver,” he said. Modi was speaking at the second Summit for Democracy, co-hosted by US President Joe Biden, Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema, the Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol. Speaking during the ‘Leader-level Plenary on Democracy Delivering Economic Growth and Shared Prosperity’ session hosted by President Yoon, he said, the idea of elected leaders was a common feature in ancient India long before the rest of the world.