As the West grapples with political polarisation, rising populism, and an erosion of public trust, it is fair to ask: Is the model of Western democracy and capitalism -once the world’s most admired export -losing its sheen?

For decades, the United States and its allies offered a compelling vision: free markets, liberal democracy, and robust institutions. But today, that vision appears increasingly fractured:
• Polarisation is replacing consensus
• Institutions are under stress
• Economic growth no longer guarantees social cohesion
• And truth itself is often contested

Amid this uncertainty, India’s journey offers a striking and hopeful contrast.

Despite its vast diversity, significant economic disparities, and the pressures of an ever-expanding electorate, India’s constitutional democracy appears to be maturing and steadying. The sheer scale and complexity of India’s political and social fabric could easily lend itself to instability. Yet, the country has shown an increasing capacity for democratic resilience.

A recent example stands out: the Government’s deft handling of tensions with Pakistan, which was complemented by responsible and articulate support from opposition parliamentarians in presenting a unified national stance. In an era when partisan divides often weaken democratic responses, India demonstrated that political competition need not come at the cost of national coherence.

This is not to suggest India is without its challenges. But it does show that democracy -messy, noisy, and imperfect- can still work in diverse and developing contexts when anchored in constitutional values and collective responsibility.

Perhaps, the democratic renewal the world is looking for will not emerge solely from the old guard in the West, but from vibrant and evolving democracies like India – grounded in ancient civilisations yet shaping modern aspirations.

We may be witnessing not the end of democracy, but its rebalancing – with new models, new voices, and new sources of legitimacy.