New Delhi: In India, a struggle on agricultural laws issue echoes from Parliament to Road. Farmers’ organizations may be surrounding the Modi government, but the US has supported it. The United States on Wednesday (local time) came out in support of India’s new farm laws, saying it welcomes steps that would “improve the efficiency” of Indian markets and attract greater private sector investment.
Reacting on the ongoing farm protests in India, a State Department spokesperson said that Washington recognizes that “peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy”, adding that differences between the parties be resolved through dialogue.
“We recognize that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy, and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same,” the spokesperson said.
“We encourage that any differences between the parties be resolved through dialogue. In general, the United States welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India’s markets and attract greater private sector investment,” the spokesperson added.
Actually, farmers have been demonstrating against agricultural laws on Delhi’s borders since 26 November. At the same time, violence broke out during the farmer tractor rally on the occasion of Republic Day on 26 January, after which internet service was disrupted in many places. There have been 11 rounds of talks between the farmers and the government on the agreement on the agricultural law, but all remained fruitless.
During the 11th round of talks with the protesting farmers on 22 January, the government proposed to suspend the new laws for a year and a half and also set up a joint committee to discuss the Acts. But the farmers still did not agree.