Tony Abbott Calls India a Rising Democratic Superpower

NEW DELHI – Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who led the country from 2013 to 2015, has described India as an emerging democratic superpower, countering what he called misleading narratives from Western media about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Abbott emphasized India’s democratic credentials, highlighting its free media, independent judiciary, and free and fair elections. According to Abbott, India’s rise as a democratic superpower is undeniable and will shape the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century.

Abbott critiqued the so-called “Western liberal or leftist press,” which he said often portrays India under PM Modi in unflattering terms, labeling him as a “subcontinental Trump.” “Anyone who truly understands India sees a vibrant democracy with a democratic superpower emerging from the subcontinent,” Abbott told a gathering of global leaders, diplomats, and journalists. He stressed that India’s growth in infrastructure, governance, and civic engagement underscores its status as a democratic superpower capable of influencing global affairs.

Highlighting India’s strategic importance in Asia-Pacific geopolitics, Abbott called on New Delhi to embrace its role as a democratic superpower and serve as a counterweight to China. “India, the world’s most populous democracy, is rising rapidly. With massive infrastructure development and an increasingly influential global role, India is now a democratic superpower,” he said. Abbott emphasized that India’s democratic institutions and population size position it as a natural leader among free nations in the 21st century.

Abbott also predicted that India’s influence would extend far beyond the region. “The 21st century belongs as much to India as it does to China,” he said, adding that future Indian leaders could assume a global leadership role as custodians of democracy. He reiterated that India’s emergence as a democratic superpower represents not only national pride but also a stabilizing force in global politics, offering an alternative to authoritarian models.

The former Australian Prime Minister’s remarks come amid debates in Australia over immigration and national identity, underscoring the growing attention on India’s rising influence abroad. Abbott’s description of India as a democratic superpower reflects both recognition of its democratic resilience and the country’s expanding global footprint. Analysts say Abbott’s acknowledgment reinforces India’s image as a democratic heavyweight on the world stage.

India’s status as a democratic superpower is being watched closely by nations across Asia and beyond, as it navigates domestic development, foreign policy, and international partnerships. Abbott’s address marks a significant moment in highlighting India’s achievements in democracy and governance, and its growing role as a democratic superpower in the 21st century.