Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of India's recent Lok Sabha elections during his address at an outreach session of the G7 summit. He described the overwhelming mandate received as a "victory of democracy," expressing gratitude for the support of the Indian people in securing a historic win.
Highlighting the scale of the electoral process, Modi shared impressive statistics about the world's largest democratic exercise, spanning from April 19 to June 1 across seven phases, with results announced on June 4. This visit marks Modi's first international trip following his third consecutive term as India's Prime Minister after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's victory.
"In this historic victory lies the blessings bestowed by the people of India, a triumph for democracy and a testament to the democratic ideals cherished globally," Modi remarked, addressing leaders at the G7 Summit in Italy.
Reflecting on the enormity of the Indian elections, Modi underscored the involvement of over 2,600 political parties, one million polling booths, five million electronic voting machines, 15 million polling personnel, and an electorate of approximately 970 million, with 640 million exercising their franchise. He credited technology for ensuring fairness and transparency in the electoral process, culminating in swift declaration of results.
"This election was not just a democratic exercise but also a celebration of India's rich democratic heritage, setting a new milestone in our nation's democratic journey," Modi asserted, noting the historical significance of his third consecutive term, a first in six decades for any Indian leader since Jawaharlal Nehru.
The G7 Summit, hosted in Apulia's Borgo Egnazia, provided Modi a platform to discuss artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean alongside global leaders, including Pope Francis.
"This journey of democracy in India resonates deeply with our ancient values and ethos, reaffirming our commitment to serve our people diligently," Modi concluded, highlighting India's evolving democratic narrative on the world stage.
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