India has over 2,500 political parties — Prime Minister Modi shocks Ghana's Parliament

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left Ghana’s Parliament in fits of laughter on Thursday when he dropped an unexpected fact during his address: India is home to over 2,500 registered political parties.

“I repeat, 2,500 political parties,” Mr. Modi said with a grin, briefly pausing to let the surprise register. Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the chamber before erupting into hearty laughter—an atmosphere rarely seen during formal parliamentary sessions.

Even Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin couldn’t help but join in, later repeating the number with a chuckle that drew another round of applause and laughter from both MPs and the visiting delegation.

The moment injected levity into what was otherwise a highly formal diplomatic occasion, but it also served a deeper purpose. Mr. Modi used the staggering number to underline the strength and complexity of India’s democratic system.

“India is the mother of democracy,” he told the chamber in English. “True democracy promotes discussion and debate. It unites people, supports dignity and promotes human rights.”

Switching briefly to Hindi, he added, “Hamare liye loktantra system nahi, sanskaar hai”, which he translated as: “For us, democracy is not just a system, it is a part of our fundamental values.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks framed India as a vibrant, inclusive democracy—one that thrives despite its immense diversity. “Twenty different parties governing different states, 22 official languages, thousands of dialects—this is the India that works,” he said. “This is also the reason that people who have come to India have always been welcomed with open hearts.”

He added that this cultural openness enables Indians to flourish in countries across the world, seamlessly blending in while contributing meaningfully to their host communities.

Mr. Modi’s address came during his historic two-day state visit to Ghana—the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over 30 years. His visit forms part of a broader five-nation diplomatic tour aimed at deepening South-South cooperation and building strategic partnerships across Africa and Latin America.

After his speech, the Prime Minister exchanged warm greetings and handshakes with Ghanaian lawmakers, capping off a day that many MPs described as "refreshingly candid, insightful, and inspiring."

Next on Mr. Modi’s itinerary are stops in Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil for the BRICS Summit, and Namibia—part of a larger effort to reinforce India’s global diplomatic footprint and forge new alliances.