India’s democracy as a cultural ethos highlighted in Canberra

Canberra, August 16 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Gopal Baglay, delivered the keynote address at a landmark event titled “Democracy as Culture: India’s Constitutional Ethos in Practice” held at the Old Parliament House in Canberra to mark India’s 79th Independence Day.

In his address, Baglay traced the roots of democracy in India back to ancient traditions, describing it as the “core strength” that will guide India’s journey towards becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047. He also warned that democracies across the world continue to face serious challenges such as violence and coercion, urging collective global action against terrorism, which he called a major threat to democratic values.

The event brought together a distinguished panel of Australian and Indian leaders and thinkers, including Barry O’Farrell, former Australian High Commissioner to India; Federal Minister Bill Shorten; academic Babones Salvatore; BJP National Spokesperson Guruprakash Paswan; and Dr. Sanjay Bhardwaj. Members of the Indian diaspora and local community leaders also participated in the discussion, enriching the dialogue with diverse perspectives.

Emphasising that democracy is not only a political framework but also a cultural ethos for India, Baglay said its resilience is vital to achieving equitable growth, social harmony, and the country’s developmental aspirations over the next two decades.

Organised by the India Australia Exchange Forum (IAEF), the event marked the first time such an indepth dialogue on democracy and constitutional values was hosted in Canberra. Participants praised IAEF for creating a platform that encouraged meaningful discussion on contemporary challenges and opportunities facing democracies globally.

The celebration of India’s Independence Day through this democratic dialogue reflected the deepening intellectual, cultural, and political ties between India and Australia.