Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 15, 2026, addressed the inaugural session of the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi, highlighting how India’s democratic framework has become a catalyst for rapid development. He said India has demonstrated that democracy can deliver “stability, speed and scale,” enabling inclusive growth and lifting nearly 250 million people out of poverty through people-centric governance and last-mile delivery.

Projecting India as a leading voice of the Global South, the Prime Minister stressed that the country views technology and digital public infrastructure as public goods meant to be shared, not monopolized. He noted that during global forums, India consistently raises issues concerning developing nations and works to ensure that innovation, digital empowerment, and governance reforms benefit a wider global community.

Highlighting India’s economic and technological milestones, PM Modi said the country is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and home to the world’s largest digital payment system through UPI. He added that India is the largest vaccine producer globally, the second-largest steel producer, the third-largest startup ecosystem, the third-largest aviation market, the fourth-largest rail network, and the third-largest metro rail network—achievements made possible by democratic resilience and institutional strength.

The Prime Minister also underlined the growing role of women in Indian democracy, noting that nearly 1.5 million women are elected representatives in rural and local bodies. Addressing the Speakers and Presiding Officers present, he said their responsibility lies in listening, ensuring fair dialogue, and upholding democratic values, adding that CSPOC serves as a crucial platform for strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation across the Commonwealth.