Warmly welcoming the delegates, the Prime Minister highlighted the historical significance of the Central Hall, now known as Samvidhan Sadan. He recalled that the Constituent Assembly met here during the final years of colonial rule to draft the Indian Constitution, laying the foundation of the Republic.
For over seven decades after Independence, the building served as India’s Parliament and witnessed critical debates that shaped the nation’s destiny. PM Modi noted that renaming it Samvidhan Sadan reflects India’s respect for constitutional values and democratic traditions.
India’s Democracy: Diversity, Stability, and Development
Reflecting on early doubts about India’s democratic survival, PM Modi said the country has decisively answered skeptics by turning diversity into democratic strength. He stressed that democratic institutions in India have enabled both political stability and rapid development.
He cited India’s achievements, including being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, hosting the largest digital payments ecosystem through UPI, and emerging as a global leader in vaccines, startups, steel production, aviation, railways, agriculture, and dairy production.
Last-Mile Delivery at the Core of Indian Democracy
“In India, democracy means last-mile delivery,” the Prime Minister said, underlining that governance in the country is centred on public welfare. He noted that inclusive policies and technology-driven systems have ensured benefits reach citizens without discrimination.
PM Modi highlighted that nearly 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty in recent years, asserting that India’s democratic framework delivers tangible outcomes for its people.
Scale of Participation and Women’s Leadership
Calling India’s democracy unparalleled in scale, the Prime Minister referred to the 2024 general elections as the largest democratic exercise in human history, with nearly 980 million registered voters. He also highlighted record participation by women voters.
He pointed out that women hold leadership positions across governance, from the President of India to state leadership and grassroots institutions, where nearly half of elected representatives are women.
India as the Voice of the Global South
PM Modi emphasised that India consistently raises the concerns of the Global South at international forums. During India’s G20 Presidency, the priorities of developing nations were placed at the centre of the global agenda.
He noted that India is building open-source digital platforms and sharing technological innovations to help partner countries develop inclusive governance systems.
Role of Speakers and Technology in Democracy
Highlighting the unique role of Speakers and Presiding Officers, the Prime Minister said patience, neutrality, and inclusiveness are their defining qualities. He stressed that parliamentary leaders play a crucial role in connecting citizens with democratic institutions.
PM Modi also spoke about India’s use of artificial intelligence to translate parliamentary debates into regional languages and make legislative resources more accessible, especially for younger citizens.