Describing India as the “mother of all democracies,” Speaker of the UK House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle said some of India’s neighbouring countries should reflect on the true meaning of democracy.
Delivering his Republic Day message at a reception organised by the High Commission of India in London on Monday, Hoyle praised India’s democratic journey as a remarkable milestone in world history.
“It is such a huge milestone in India’s history and reminds us that democracy continues to thrive—the mother of all democracies,” he said.
Hoyle, who was the chief guest at the event celebrating the 77th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution in January 1950, added, “We [the UK] might be the mother of Parliament, but when I hear about almost 1 billion people voting, counting the votes, delivering that result—that is something special. It is so special that some of your neighbours ought to recognise what democracy is about. Democracy is where we go, and that is why India will always be that milestone.”
Reflecting on the growing India-UK partnership, Hoyle commended the depth of bilateral ties, highlighting cooperation in trade, technology, culture, sports, and people-to-people links.
Addressing the gathering, Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami described the partnership as “compelling, timely, strategic and necessary,” adding, “It could also be like the tagline for India itself: truly incredible.”
Doraiswami also acknowledged the contributions of the Indian diaspora in the UK, saying, “A special thank you to Britons of Indian origin and to the Indians here, who always believed that this partnership could be much more than the sum of its parts.”
He highlighted the momentum in India-UK relations in 2025, including historic prime ministerial visits and the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a landmark free trade deal soon to be ratified by the UK Parliament.
The reception at London’s historic Guildhall featured dhol and Bhangra performances and concluded with video highlights from India’s Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Guests included veteran parliamentarians, community leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and business professionals from the India-UK corridor, joining in renditions of both nations’ national anthems.
Earlier in the day, the Indian High Commission hosted a traditional Republic Day flag-hoisting ceremony for the diaspora at India House in London. (Agencies)
