Farmers Movement Archive

India condemns UK parliament debate on farm stir, says it's 'vote bank politics'

India on Tuesday summoned the British high commissioner to convey its strong objection to British parliamentarians debating the three farm laws enacted last year. The ministry of external affairs said in a statement foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla made it clear that the discussion in the UK parliament represented a gross interference in the politics of another country. Shringla called the debate "vote bank politics" and also highlighted that there was a misrepresentation of events."Foreign Secretary summoned the British High Commissioner and conveyed strong opposition to the unwarranted and tendentious discussion on agricultural reforms in India in the British Parliament," the statement said.A group of British MPs debated "use of force" in farmers protest in India drawing flak from the High Commission of India in London. The Indian mission said the discussion was one-sided and as British media were also present at farmers' protest site in India for reporting, the "question of lack of freedom of the media in India does not arise".Taking part in the debate which Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) minister Nigel Adams noted that India has maintained that agricultural reforms were a domestic matter. "Whilst this is an exciting time for the UK-India partnership, it does not hinder us from raising difficult issues,” the minister said and also added that the issue might feature in a candid discussion between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian PM Narendra Modi when they meet in the future.The debate saw the participation of several cross-party British MPs. Opposition Labour MP for Ealing Southall in west London Virendra Sharma said, "Both sides need to step back and recognise the need to come to an agreement… I hope the government will commit to helping that cause and offer British skills in negotiation and compromise to help both sides to bring this issue to a close."The farmers' protest which has been going on at Delhi's border for over 100 days now has gained international attention primarily after Red Fort violence when protesters had a face-off with Delhi police leading to the death of one protester. In the aftermath of the incident, internet services were snapped at a few places in the Capital.India has reacted sharply to the US State Department's comment on farmers protest. In its response to the US statement, India compared the Red Fort incident with that of Capitol Hill. The Centre also objected to international celebrities like climate activist Greta Thunberg, pop star Rihanna tweeting on farmers' protest and said the action was irresponsible.

Hindustan Times

09-03-2021

India