Role of India as a vibrant democracy in the
post-2015 development agenda
October 30, 2014
Remarks by Ambassador Asoke K. Mukerji, Permanent Representative
 

Thank you Rahul,
Greetings and salutations to UN Guests
Shri Vinay Sahasrabudhe, Director General of RMP,
Sadhguruji,
Distinguished guests and delegates,

It is a distinct honor for me to participate in today’s event. Given that this event is about India and is being organized in collaboration with such distinguished participants from India makes it all the more special.
 

Let me at the very outset say that this event is a testimony to the important role that civil society plays in awareness raising and social mobilization in India and the very active role they are playing in the evolution of our approach to the post-2015 development agenda.
 

I am particularly pleased to speak on the issue of ‘Role of India as a vibrant democracy in the post-2015 development agenda’.
 

This is not just because India is among the largest developing countries with significant developmental challenges, but also because I genuinely believe that as a vibrant democracy and as a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-lingual society, India has a lot to bring to the table on this issue.
 

Allow me also to preface my remarks by saying that India attaches a high degree of importance to the post-2015 development agenda with poverty eradication as its overarching objective. This agenda, we believe, is a unique opportunity for the international community to redouble its commitment to ending poverty and hunger and to set the world on the path to sustainable development, with balanced emphasis on the social, economic and environmental dimensions. The development agenda should first and foremost be about development, and prioritize the creation of conditions for rapid and sustained inclusive economic growth in developing countries.
 

I would like to focus on five key themes, reflecting upon the contributions India can make to the post-2015 development agenda.
 

First, as the title itself suggests, India as a vibrant democracy. India is the largest democracy in the world.
 

You are aware of the largest exercise of popular democracy ever in the history of humankind which took place in May this year in India, resulting in the landmark election of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India’s experience of democracy, including the smooth transition of power has proven that democracy is not only compatible with but also necessary for holistic development. People’s participation in an open and democratic polity is essential for their empowerment and enables better choices and indeed better developmental outcomes.
 

Second, in a world struggling to deal with issues of climate change and planetary sustainability, I believe that the Indian ethos of harmony with nature, of treating nature’s bounties as sacred, of seeking a dialogue with nature rather than seeking to dominate it, has special relevance.
 

Indian traditional wisdom emphasizes a culture of frugality, of doing more with less, of taking only as much as required from nature and of no wastage. These ideals need to be embraced if we are serious about combating climate change and sustainable development.
 

Third, even as India’s efforts at poverty eradication played a major role in meeting the global MDG target of reducing the poverty rate by half, we acknowledge that India has a special responsibility when it comes to eradicating poverty and hunger and providing a life of dignity to its people. In this sense, India will be a real battle ground for the success of the post-2015 development agenda. The good news is we have already taken up the challenge.
 

The record democratic mandate to the new government was a manifestation of the great yearning for development among Indian people, a yearning for a better quality of life. And as the Indian Prime Minister has emphasized, our task is to make development itself a mass-movement, so that India can rapidly modernize and industrialize and lift itself into the ranks of leading countries of the world where it rightfully belongs.
 

Fourth, India’s role as a young nation. India’s demographic dividend has been spoken of for some time now. Recognizing the power of youth, we are committed to invest in education, and in particular skill development so that the vast number of youth can be gainfully employed. For this purpose, we have launched a Skill India Mission with emphasis on employability and entrepreneurial skills.
 

Fifth, India is a champion of the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for development. India strongly believes that ICT can be critical enablers of development, and act as force-multipliers, increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of development policy and empowering vulnerable sections of the population. ICT has a special role to play in empowering women and we have been singularly successful in this regard.
 

I am confident that the distinguished participants from India will also add their unique perspective to this issue.
 

Thank you.