Russian President Dmitry Medvedev cautioned developed nations on Wednesday against imposing their models on other countries.
"Every democracy in the world is unique while attempts to create universal democracy, applicable in all countries, are futile," Medvedev, who is currently on an official visit to India, told students at the Indian Institute of Technology.
Citizens should be able to criticize their political system but there should be no skipping over stages of historical development, he said.
"Attempts to jump ahead in time can end in tragedy," he said.
He cited Afghanistan that is currently "in a very difficult situation."
"It is necessary to consolidate the state, make it more effective and robust. But is it possible to implement a U.S. or Russian political model in Afghanistan?" he asked rhetorically. "No."
"Democracy matures from within and reflects the state of civil society," he went on.
Indian democracy also has its specifics, for example, women's active involvement in running the state, he said.
"Here we could learn something from our Indian colleagues," Medvedev said.
MUMBAI, December 22 (RIA Novosti)
