Vice-President Dhankhar Hails PM Modi's Governance as Modern Kautilyan Vision

In a profound address to the Kautilya Fellows at the India Foundation in New Delhi, the Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, extolled the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by aligning his governance approach with the ancient yet timeless political thought of Kautilya. Emphasizing the philosophical depth of the Arthashastra, the Vice-President stated that Prime Minister Modi embodies Kautilya’s principles of statecraft, strategic diplomacy, participatory democracy, and people-centric development.

Kautilya’s Relevance in Contemporary Governance

Shri Dhankhar opened his remarks by reflecting on how the philosophical tenets of Kautilya—also known as Chanakya—remain deeply instructive in navigating the complexities of today’s geopolitical and administrative landscapes. “Kautilya’s thought process is a treatise in governance,” he said, describing it as encyclopedic in its approach to statecraft, internal security, diplomacy, and administration. Citing a notable maxim from the Arthashastra—“A neighboring state is an enemy, and an enemy’s enemy is a friend”—he remarked how relevant this strategic wisdom remains in the current multipolar world with shifting alliances and realigned global interests.

Prime Minister Modi: A Visionary Channeling Ancient Wisdom

The Vice-President praised Prime Minister Modi’s governance model as a living example of Kautilya’s vision in action. “Our Prime Minister, a great visionary, believes in big scale. He believes in massive transformation,” he said. Highlighting Modi’s third consecutive term, Shri Dhankhar called it a rare democratic phenomenon after decades, attributing it to the results of transformative and participatory governance that resonate deeply with citizens across the nation.

Participatory Democracy and Inclusive Development

A core emphasis of Kautilya’s teachings, according to Shri Dhankhar, was the participatory nature of democracy and development. He invoked the analogy: “Just as one wheel alone does not move a cart,” to underscore that governance and administration must involve collective participation. The Prime Minister’s initiatives have embodied this spirit—transforming governance into a bottom-up, inclusive approach.

The Vice-President spotlighted the “Aspirational Districts Programme” as a stellar example of this participatory model. Formerly marginalized and underserved, these districts were prioritized by the government for focused developmental efforts. “Those ‘Aspirational Districts’ have turned into lead districts,” Shri Dhankhar noted with pride, praising the government’s proactive engagement of bureaucratic resources to uplift these regions.

Redefining Urban India: Beyond the Metros

The Vice-President highlighted another key Modi-led initiative: the reimagination of urban development through the Smart Cities Mission. He explained that the concept went beyond beautification or infrastructure and focused instead on creating environments conducive for entrepreneurship, education, and innovation. “Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are now being transformed into economic hubs,” he observed, crediting the Prime Minister for recognizing and nurturing their untapped potential.

The Essence of Democratic Power: Limitation and Responsibility

In a philosophical turn, Shri Dhankhar spoke about the ethical boundaries of power and governance. He reminded the audience that democracy is not only defined by elections and institutions, but also by the humility of power and its limitations. “Power is defined by limitations. Democracy is nurtured when we are ever mindful of the limitations of power,” he asserted, connecting this idea to the deeper philosophical roots in the Arthashastra.

Quoting Kautilya once again—“The happiness of the king lies in the happiness of his people”—he reaffirmed that people’s welfare must always be the guiding force in democratic governance. He drew attention to how this philosophy resonates with constitutional democracies worldwide.

Civilizational Continuity of Democratic Spirit

In his concluding reflections, Shri Dhankhar underscored that India’s democratic ethos predates its colonial liberation or the adoption of its Constitution. He traced the origins of participatory discourse to the ancient Vedic traditions of “Abhivyakti” (expression) and “Vaad-Vivaad” (dialogue and debate), identifying this practice as “Anant Vaad”—an eternal debate, which has been central to India's civilizational journey.

“Democracy is nurtured best when expression and dialogue complement each other,” he said, positioning this as a hallmark of Indian governance and civic life across millennia.

Final Thoughts

Through his insightful remarks, the Vice-President not only celebrated the achievements of the current administration but also offered a timeless philosophical framework for governance. By drawing on Kautilyan ideals, he illustrated how ancient wisdom can still guide modern statecraft. His address served as both a tribute to India’s civilizational heritage and an endorsement of its continued evolution under visionary leadership.