Exclusive: India's Success Proves That Democracy Can Deliver For People, Says Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis

exclusive: india’s success proves that democracy can deliver for people, says greek pm kyriakos mitsotakis

New Delhi: India is a well-functioning democracy with 1.4 billion people, Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, praising the Indian democratic system as “admirable”. Mitsotakis also called for reform in the United Nations as he backed India’s bid for a permanent seat at the Security Council – a necessity, he said, as the world has changed significantly since the body was formed 70 years ago. Kyriakos Mitsotakis is on a two-day visit to India.

“India deserves a permanent seat at the Security Council. We cannot talk about multilateral institutions without recognising that the world has changed significantly since the body was created more than 70 years ago,” he said, calling for reforms at the Security Council.

Mitsotakis also praised the inclusion of the 55-nation African Union (AU) in the G20. “You (India) managed to include the African Union (AU) in the G20. You gave the Global South a new visibility and a new image,” he said in an interview with Times Now Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar.

The African Union became a full member of the G-20 here on September 9, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made the historic announcement, said the inclusion of the African bloc will enhance the effectiveness of the G-20. After the EU, African Union is the second regional bloc to join the G20.

The Greek PM also praised India’s growth and the welfare policies implemented by the government for the people. “This proves that democracies can deliver,” he said.

“The progress you have made is remarkable. The way you have brought millions of people out of poverty, providing them basic infrastructure is remarkable. It has raised the stature of India as a leading voice of the Global South,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the Greek prime minister hailed the Indian election system saying that the country’s poll system is an example that convincingly challenges any flawed notion that significant scale is a barrier to democracy.

“Elections here in India, convincingly challenge any flawed notion that significant scale is a barrier to democracy. You are an example to the world. An example which should be celebrated, a demonstration of how democracy can deliver stronger economic growth,” the Greek PM said while speaking at the 9th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.