Politics is gradually veering away from its traditional core contentious issues like power struggle between social and religious groups, regions at the national level as well as sovereignty, national interest, war, disarmament at the international level and focussing upon emerging issues impacting the common survival of the people like the right to life including right to food, shelter, health, clean environment. The legitimacy and authority of the political systems at the national as well as international level would more and more depend upon their ability to address these new challenges. This article discusses a contrast between the performance of the democratic political system in India and International Organisations to ensure access to two basic needs for survival – safe drinking water and sanitation.

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Keywords: Indian Democracy, International Organisation, Basic Needs.