India remains the only true democratic experiment in South Asia, says a senior journalist

In his column published in Global Order, Rishi Suri said: "The accounts in Geneva were damning. Ahmadis in Pakistan criminalized simply for identifying as Muslims. Sindhi Hindu women and girls forced into conversions under the shadow of violence and impunity. Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and indigenous peoples in Bangladesh enduring repeated cycles of communal violence."

He said these incidents reflect an enhanced system of exclusion.

"And they reveal an uncomfortable truth, large parts of South Asia remain unwilling or unable to guarantee the basic dignity of their minorities," he said.

He said India reflected a contrasting situation where it has enshrined equality, secularism, and religious freedom in its Constitution.

"Its judiciary, independent press, and vibrant civil society act as safeguards. Most importantly, India’s national identity is not built on one faith, ethnicity, or language but on the principle of unity in diversity," Suri said.

"It is no accident that India’s minorities, over 200 million Muslims, 30 million Christians, 20 million Sikhs, and countless other communities, participate fully in politics, arts, business, and science," he said.

Suri highlighted the situation of minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh and said: "Contrast this with Pakistan, where Ahmadis are barred from even identifying as Muslims, or Bangladesh, where Hindu families routinely face intimidation."

He said: "India’s pluralism is not just a domestic strength. It is a global message. In an age where sectarianism and authoritarian nationalism are on the rise, India demonstrates that democracy can be both diverse and stable."