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India is a shining example of democracy: Blair

September 02, 2010 19:01 IST

Tony Blair, who took Indo-British ties to a new level during his 10 years as prime minister of United Kingdom, believes that India is a shining example of a nation that is 'genuinely democratic', even as it develops and faces several challenges.

In his remarkably candid memoir titled My Journey, Blair mentions the growing economic power of India several times, and credits himself for foreseeing the growing importance of China and India to international agreements.

In his book that has become a best-seller across the country, Blair writes, "Three years out of office have given me time to reflect on our system of government and to study other systems. I have no doubt democracy is the best system.

"And India remains the shining example of a large nation, still developing, that manages to be genuinely democratic," he said.

Since democracy depends on institutions, rules and culture to work effectively, Blair says that China, unlike India, "will only be ready for simple democracy at a certain point in development".

 

Prasun Sonwalkar
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