India: A Stable Democracy Leading the Global South

A cooperation event with the South Asia office, Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom.

India today stands as the largest democracy and a symbol of emerging leadership on the global stage. With a rich civilizational heritage and a rapidly growing economy, India is uniquely positioned to shape the 21st century. Its commitment to democratic values and pluralism continues to inspire many developing nations. On the international front, India has emerged as a credible and influential voice in global forums such as the G20, BRICS, the Quad, and the United Nations. It is increasingly being recognized not only as a strategic partner but also as a champion of the Global South in a multipolar world.

Panelists

Apurv Kumar Mishra
is presently serving in the Government of India as a Consultant in the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. From February-June 2022, he was a Policy Leader Fellow at European University Institute in Florence, Italy. He previously worked as a senior research fellow at India Foundation, a premier think-tank in India where he led initiatives relating to Indian foreign policy. He is the editor-in-chief of India Law Journal.

Jhanvi Tripathi
is an Associate Fellow with the Observer Research Foundation’s (ORF) Geoeconomics Programme. She served as the coordinator for the Think20 India secretariat during India’s G20 presidency in 2023. She currently serves on the International Advisory Board Secretariat of Think20 Brasil. Her research includes international trade policy, including new trade issues like digital trade policy, and gender and trade, besides World Trade Organization reform, and NTMs. Prior to this, she was an associate researcher on international trade policy for the Confederation of Indian Industry, where she worked on day-to-day government advisory on India’s FTA negotiations with the EU and the RCEP, in addition to WTO policy positions.

Dr. S.Y. Quraishi
served as the 17th Chief Election Commissioner from July 30, 2010. With a diverse background, including roles as Secretary of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Special Secretary (Health) & Director General of the National AIDS Control Organization, he has been instrumental in pioneering initiatives such as India’s largest AIDS awareness program, 'Universities Talk AIDS'. Quraishi is also a prolific author, contributing extensively to literature on democracy, elections, HIV AIDS, family planning, and social marketing.

Ghanshyam Tiwari
is a National Spokesperson for Samajwadi Party and an alumnus of NITK Surathkal, IIM Bangalore, Kellogg School of Management, and Harvard Kennedy School and an invitee to the European Union under the European Union Visitors Program. He is also a cofounder of GoodEd Technologies, an edtech company and Parliamentarians with Innovators, a not for profit.