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BIG STORY FEBRUARY 24, 2023 | The Indian Eye 4

SOROS ON INDIAN DEMOCRACY

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As US billionaire George Soros criticizes Indian democracy, the Indian government tells him the Euro-Atlantic vision no
longer dominates the world. What does New Delhi’s reaction reflect?

OUR BUREAU

New Delhi/Sydney/New York
S billionaire investor George
Soros has sparked a major
Urow in India. With his re-
marks on Indian democracy and
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the
hedge fund owner and philanthro-
pist is facing a major backlash in In-
dia – from the government as well as
opposition parties.
On Saturday, External Affairs
Minister S Jaishankar George Soros
as an “old, rich opinionated per-
son” who still thinks that his views
should determine how the entire
world works. Addressing a session
with Australian Minister Chris
Brown at the Raisina@Sydney Di-
alogue, Jaishankar said, “Mr Soros
is an old, rich opinionated person
sitting in New York who still thinks
that his views should determine how
the entire world works...such people
actually invest resources in shaping
narratives.”
“People like him think an elec-
tion is good if the person they want
to see, wins and if the election Soros spoke about a “democratic revival” in India in his remarks delivered at the 2023 Munich Security Conference (ANI)
throws up a different outcome, then
they will say it is a flawed democracy “close allies,” whose “fate is inter- unprecedented, electoral outcomes minister said.
and the beauty is that all this is done twined”, the 92-year-old billionaire which are decisive, electoral process Globalization, Jaishankar said,
under the pretense of advocacy of investor said, “This will significantly which is not questioned. We’re not allows seamless opportunities but
open society,” the external affairs weaken Modi’s stranglehold on In- one of those countries where after also allows narratives to be shaped,
minister said. dia’s federal government and open elections, somebody goes to arbi- money to come in, and organiza-
Soros had in his remarks at the the door to push for much-needed trate in court.” tions to get about their agenda.
Munich Security Conference this institutional reforms.” “I may be na- “Mr Soros said India is a dem- Hitting out at Soros’ comments,
Thursday said, “Adani is accused of ive, but I expect a democratic revival ocratic country but he doesn’t think Jaishankar said, “If you do this kind
stock manipulation and his stock col- in India,” Soros said in his remarks the Prime minister of India is a dem- of scaremongering...millions of peo-
lapsed like a house of cards. Modi is delivered at the 2023 Munich Secu- ocrat. He earlier accused us of plan- ple will be deprived of citizenship. It
silent on the subject, but he will have rity Conference. ning to strip millions of Muslims actually does real damage to the so-
to answer questions from foreign in- In Sydney, Jaishankar today said, of their citizenship which of course cietal fabric because somebody out
vestors and in Parliament.” “When I look at my own democracy, didn’t happen, it was a ridiculous there believes you. You create that
Terming Modi and Adani as I’ve today a voter turnout, which is suggestion,” the external affairs Continued on next page... >>

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