On the 15th of September every year, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Democracy, a day for reminiscing about the ideals of freedom, equality, and an inclusive society. It is the day that remembers people's participation in making societies and bringing justice to all. Among such nations promoting these ideals, India is at the top as a source of hope and inspiration. As the world's largest democracy, India has repeatedly shown how democratic norms could promote harmony, safeguard diversity, and foster international cooperation.
India has never stopped trusting in dialogue and consensus to overcome adversities since its independence in 1947. With a universal adult franchise guaranteed through its Constitution, over 900 million citizens have the right to decide the direction of the country. This massive engagement creates the biggest democratic exercise in the history of humankind; a testimony to the faith and trust of the people in their institutions. The autonomous Election Commission and its impartiality and transparency enable this trust; the judiciary ensures the trust in the rights of the citizens and the rule of law. All these pillars combined reaffirm India's stature as a stable, resilient, and developing democracy.
Democratic culture in India is not limited to the voting booth. Instead, democratic culture is connected to inclusion and hence is a component of the lived experience of its people. The Parliament buildings of New Delhi and village panchayats of rural India are both spaces where citizens express their grievances and fight to shape the future of their communities. This lived experience of engagement means that democracy in India is much more than a matter of institutionalization, but something lived by millions each and every day.
India's democratic principles are also seen in its global commitments. On 12 September 2025, India reaffirmed its abiding commitment to peace and justice in the world at the United Nations General Assembly. It voted for the "New York Declaration," a France-initiated resolution that urged the peaceful resolution of the Palestine conflict and reaffirmed the two-state solution. The resolution was passed overwhelmingly, with 142 countries voting for it, 10 against it, and 12 abstaining. India's position was universally welcomed as a testament to justice, equality, and respect for universal aspirations. It was not a diplomatic decision but a demonstration of India's strong democratic values, which foster dialogue, equality, and cooperation as the basis for enduring peace.
The vote was celebrated domestically and abroad. India’s vote was referred to as a "big win" for justice and solidarity for the Palestinian people on social media platforms such as X. This victory demonstrated how Indian domestic values of inclusivity were expressed as a matter of foreign policy, creating a link between India's constitutional ideals and responsibility to the world. The action taken by India at the UN demonstrated that democracy at home means advocating for equity and equality in the world.
In the national sphere, India's democracy remains dynamic through abiding citizen participation. In Kashmir, recent elections witnessed enthusiastic youth participation, willing to become a part of moulding their future. Their participation is a potent reminder that India's democracy is not a static entity but one that is in flux, always embracing fresh voices and ideas. This youth participation brings a new lease of life to politics and proves that democratic societies can be shaped to the aspirations of nascent generations.
India's federal character further intensifies this inclusivity by ensuring that varied views across the states become part of the national decision-making. States like Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal contribute a rare dimension of voices to the conversation, helping to solidify unity in diversity as the fundamental purpose of the Indian Union. This typology ensures that democracy in India is not vertical, but participatory, involving the voices of citizens from every corner of the country.
The multi-party system creates a further layer of strength through a broad choice available to citizens. The range of options enhances debate and keeps the process of governance in touch with the people's will. The 2024 general elections best demonstrated this vibrancy when citizens turned out in large numbers to determine the path of leadership. These elections reaffirmed once again that the actual strength of Indian democracy lies with its people. Outside elections, the people are enabled to voice their concerns on issues from environmental protection to social justice through grassroots movements and civil society organizations, keeping the government anchored in the interests of common citizens.
Democracy in India is strengthened by its free and active press, which provides space for dialogue, discussion, and debate. Media venues designed for debate, from old newspapers like The Hindu to online platforms, provide the space for different perspectives and require accountability. The press holds the government accountable and sees to it that democratic discourse does not cease, even during periods between elections. The press and media are and part of the debate and opposition, themselves, and this proclivity strengthens the integrity of India's democratic system.
What is truly distinctive about India's democracy is that it is much more than a political system, it is an expression of the identity of the nation itself. It exists in how people live together, in how values continue to be appreciated, and in the fact that differences are worked out in discourse not division. The Constitution remains the backbone of Indian democracy in motion, with its promise of liberty, equality, and justice for all. The theory that power resides with the people from village panchayats to the national Parliament still drives governing and developmental arrangements.
India’s democratic journey has also earned admiration across the world. Its leadership in forums such as the United Nations and the G20 reflects the global confidence in India’s ability to combine inclusivity at home with responsibility abroad. India's recent UN vote on Palestine put the country squarely back on the map as a nation that upholds democracy with honesty and promotes peaceful resolutions everywhere in the world. The demonstration of the integrity of domestic values translated into international policy has made India a respected voice in global affairs.
On this International Day of Democracy, India's example offers hope and inspiration. It shows that democracy, based on justice and inclusion, can thrive among populations as large and diverse as our globe's. Through the engagement of its people, adherence to constitutional values, and commitment to equity in international diplomacy, India exemplifies that not only can democracy exist, it can also transform a society. On this wonderful day, India reminds the world that democracy is more than a system of governance; it is a shared aspiration among humanity. It is a path toward peace, harmony, and prosperity for all nations. India's experience shows that when people are empowered and values are sustained, democracy becomes an electrifying force that brings societies together and energizes the world.
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