India turned diversity into strength: PM Narendra Modi
New Delhi, Jan 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India had turned diversity into strength and democracy in India delivered as people’s aspirations were placed at the centre.
Inaugurating the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi, PM Modi said that despite early doubts about democracy surviving in a diverse country, India had turned diversity into a strength and demonstrated that democratic institutions provide stability, speed, and scale to development.
Highlighting India’s democratic traditions and the evolving role of legislatures in a changing world, he said that democracy in India delivers because people’s aspirations are placed at the centre, supported by the democratisation of processes and technology.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the role of a Speaker in a parliamentary democracy is unique, requiring patience, impartiality and the ability to listen while ensuring that every member is heard.
He noted that Speakers shoulder the responsibility of managing debate and maintaining dignity in the House, even amid intense and noisy discussions.
Welcoming delegates, PM Modi underlined the historic significance of Samvidhan Sadan, recalling that the Central Hall hosted the Constituent Assembly during the final years of British rule and later served as India’s Parliament for 75 years.
He said dedicating the building to democracy symbolised India’s deep respect for constitutional values, especially as the country recently marked 75 years of the Constitution.
The Prime Minister said the conference theme, effective delivery of parliamentary democracy, reflected India’s own democratic journey. He highlighted India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy and cited achievements across sectors such as digital payments, manufacturing, startups, transport, and agriculture.
Emphasising “last-mile delivery” as the essence of Indian democracy, PM Modi said governance focused on welfare had helped lift nearly 25 crore people out of poverty. Referring to the 2024 general elections, he described them as the largest democratic exercise in history, with nearly 980 million registered voters and record participation by women. He highlighted the growing leadership role of women across governance, including at the national and grassroots levels.
The Prime Minister said India’s democratic roots stretch back thousands of years, citing ancient assemblies mentioned in the Vedas, the traditions of the Buddhist Sangha and historical village councils.
He said that nearly half of the Commonwealth’s population resides in India and said the country remains committed to contributing responsibly to shared goals on development, innovation, and climate action.
PM Modi also stressed India’s role in amplifying the voice of the Global South, recalling initiatives taken during its G20 Presidency and efforts to build open-source digital platforms for partner countries.
He highlighted steps taken by the Indian Parliament to deepen public engagement, including study tours, training programmes, internships, and the use of artificial intelligence to translate parliamentary proceedings into regional languages in real time. Expressing confidence that the conference would strengthen cooperation and the exchange of best practices, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes to all participants.
Speaker Om Birla, in his welcome address, highlighted the rapid technological changes reshaping governance and democratic institutions. He said that while artificial intelligence and social media have enhanced efficiency and accessibility, their misuse has also led to concerns such as misinformation, cybercrime, and social polarisation.
He stressed that legislatures must collectively address these challenges and work towards ethical AI and transparent, accountable social media frameworks to safeguard democratic values. Drawing from India’s experience, the Speaker noted the growing use of AI and digital technologies in Parliament and State Legislatures, including the move towards paperless functioning through integrated digital platforms to improve transparency and efficiency.
He also referred to legislative reforms, including the repeal of obsolete laws and enactment of welfare-oriented legislation, which he said were aligned with public aspirations and India’s goal of becoming a self-reliant, developed nation.
The conference will deliberate on a range of contemporary issues, including the role of artificial intelligence in Parliament, the impact of social media on parliamentarians, strategies to improve public understanding of Parliament and citizen participation beyond voting, security concerns, and the health and wellbeing of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff. CSPOC brings together Speakers and Presiding Officers from 53 national parliaments of Commonwealth countries, along with representatives of semi-autonomous parliaments and international parliamentary bodies.
A total of 61 Presiding Officers, including 45 Speakers and 16 Deputy Speakers from 42 member countries and four semi-autonomous parliaments, are attending the conference.
