India’s 2024 election is a reminder of deep commitment to democracy by citizens of the world’s most populous country. From their first opportunity to vote after achieving independence in 1947, Indians have enthusiastically engaged in the electoral process.
While other former colonial countries have suffered periods of dictatorship, India has steadfastly maintained a commitment to popular election of leaders. Only Indira Gandhi’s 21-month emergency has come close to dismantling India’s democratic fidelity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters as he arrives at Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday.Credit: AP
When Gandhi called an election in 1977, voters decisively demonstrated their dissatisfaction. Gandhi’s Congress party suffered an electoral wipeout and the prime minister found herself without a seat in parliament.
Two years after Winston Churchill was defeated as Britain’s prime minister in 1945, he said “democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried”.
In India and other democracies, including Australia, are numerous examples of government’s losing, notwithstanding expectations of victory. The genius of democracy is that citizens, not corporations, pollsters or other experts get to decide the outcome.
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Coalition governments have been the usual outcome of India’s elections. When Narendra Modi won office in 2019, he did so with an alliance of parties. He achieved a remarkable majority in India’s lower house, the Lok Sabha.
This year’s election sees a return of a BJP-led alliance. It’s a result that should see a continuation of Modi’s commitment to economic reform, engagement with the world and a continuation of India’s strategic efforts across the Indo-Pacific to deliver the Quad’s vision of a stable, prosperous and free neighbourhood.
It’s a positive outcome for Australia as we seek a free-trade deal with the world’s fastest-growing economy. India will be critical in delivering Australia’s goal of being a global renewable superpower. Its push for increased domestic manufacturing, especially in critical technologies, will provide much-needed competition for world markets.