NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the Parliament of Ghana throughout his state go to, drawing applause and smiles when he mentioned that India has over 2,500 political parties. The remark got here as a part of a broader speech on India’s democratic values and cultural range.“India is the mother of democracy. For us, democracy is not merely a system; it is a part of our fundamental values from thousands of years ago,” Modi mentioned. Referring to historic traditions, he added, “The Rig Veda says: Ano bhadraha kratavo yantu Vishwatah – let good thoughts come to us from all directions. This openness to ideas is the core of democracy.”PM Modi highlighted India’s range and mentioned, “India has over 2,500 political parties. I repeat, 2,500 political parties. 20 different parties govern different states. We have 22 official languages and thousands of dialects. This is also the reason that people who came to India have always been welcomed with open hearts.”The second captured on video confirmed Ghanaian MPs reacting with smile, shock and applause on the sheer scale of India’s political plurality.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra and paid floral tribute to Ghana’s founding President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Accompanied by Vice President Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, he noticed a second of silence on the mausoleum devoted to Nkrumah and his spouse Fathia.“Dr Nkrumah was a towering figure of Africa’s liberation and unity. This tribute reflects India’s deep respect for Ghana’s history and shared commitment to freedom and justice,” Modi mentioned.During the go to, PM Modi was conferred with The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, the nation’s highest civilian award, by President John Mahama. Calling it a “matter of immense pride,” Modi thanked the federal government and other people of Ghana and devoted the honour to the youth of each nations.“I humbly accept this award on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians. I dedicate this to the aspirations of our youth, our rich cultural diversity, and the historic ties between India and Ghana,” he mentioned.PM Modi’s go to — the primary by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in over three a long time — marks a major second in India-Africa relations. In talks with President Mahama, the 2 leaders agreed to raise ties to a Comprehensive Partnership, specializing in commerce, training, defence, and digital growth.
