Women at the Helm of Power, From Rashtrapati Bhavan to Delhi CM’s Office: PM Modi

Updated: Thursday, January 15, 2026, 23:19 [IST]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted the growing leadership role of women in India, telling a global gathering of parliamentary leaders that the country's democracy is being strengthened by women occupying top constitutional and political positions.

Addressing delegates at the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), PM Modi said India has turned its social and cultural diversity into a source of democratic strength. As part of that transformation, he underlined the visible rise of women in leadership roles across public life.

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During the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the increasing leadership roles of women in India, mentioning that the President of India and the Chief Minister of Delhi are women; he also highlighted India's role as a voice for the Global South, and the focus on digital platforms for democratic empowerment.

"The President of India, our First Citizen, is a woman. The Chief Minister of Delhi, the city where we are meeting today, is also a woman,” PM Modi said, drawing applause from the audience. He added that Indian women are not merely participating in democracy but are increasingly leading institutions and shaping national decision-making.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assumed office in February 2025.

The Prime Minister linked women’s leadership with the resilience of India’s democratic system, saying strong institutions and clear processes have allowed the country to deliver stability, speed and scale despite its size and diversity. He said this inclusive approach has helped build public trust and deeper engagement with democratic values.

PM Modi also used the platform to underline India’s role as a voice for the Global South. He said New Delhi consistently raises the concerns of developing nations at international forums and recalled that during India’s G20 Presidency, the priorities of less-represented countries were placed at the centre of the global agenda.

Highlighting technology as a tool for democratic empowerment, PM Modi said India is developing open-source digital platforms that can be shared with partner countries, rather than locked behind proprietary systems. He noted that such cooperation allows other democracies, especially within the Commonwealth, to adapt India’s digital governance models to their own needs.

The three-day CSPOC, chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from January 14 to 16, has drawn a record 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth countries and four semi-autonomous parliaments. The conference is focusing on challenges such as the impact of artificial intelligence, social media, and public engagement on parliamentary work, as India presents its democratic experience as a model rooted in inclusion and leadership by women.

Women at the Helm of Power, From Rashtrapati Bhavan to Delhi CM’s Office: PM Modi

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