India shaping-up as model 'Swing State'

The world of democracy is bound to be cheering India on as it conducts its 77th Republic Day celebrations.

- BY LYNN OCKERSZ

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with foreign political leaders at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations. (PMO via PTI Photo)

(PMO via PTI Photo)

The main reasons ought to be plain to see; in the global South it remains one of the most vibrant of democracies while in South Asia it is easily the most successful of democracies.Besides, this columnist would go so far as to describe India as a principal 'Swing State.' To clarify the latter concept in its essentials, it could be stated that the typical 'Swing State' wields considerable influence and power regionally and globally. Besides they are thriving democracies and occupy a strategic geographical location which enhances their appeal for other states of the region and enables them to relate to the latter with a degree of equableness. Their strategic location makes it possible for 'Swing States' to even mediate in resolving conflicts among states.

More recently, countries such as Indonesia, South Africa and South Korea have qualified, going by the above criteria, to enter the fold.

For us in South Asia, India's special merit as a successful democracy resides, among other positives, in its constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights. Of principal appeal in this connection is India's commitment to secularism. In accordance with these provisions the Indian federal government and all other governing entities, at whatever level, are obliged to adhere to the principle of secularism in governance.

That is, governing bodies are obliged to keep an 'equidistance' among the country's religions and relate to them evenhandedly. They are required to reject in full partiality towards any of the country's religions. Needless to say, practitioners of minority religions are thus put at ease that the Indian judiciary would be treating them and the adherents of majority religions as absolute equals.