Farmers’ protests: US welcomes agri reform laws, favors dialogue

Virendra Pandit 

New Delhi: In the first major sign of the new Biden Administration’s support to the Modi government’s policies, America on Thursday welcomed the three laws for reforms in the agricultural sector and favored dialogue to resolve issues.

The move came a day after American pop star Rihanna and former porn star Mia Khalifa tweeted ‘support’ to the 70-day-old farmers’ agitation. Importantly, it also came a day after Vice-President Kamala Harris’ niece Meena compared the farmers’ stir with the storming of the US Capitol by Donald Trump’s supporters on January 6, 2020.

Setting the records straight, the US’ indirect support to the reformed farming laws came as a shot in the Modi government’s arm. It also deflated the claims being made by desperate anti-Modi groups and political parties who were gloating over the ‘international’ support they received from sensationalist social media ‘warriors’.

After 11 rounds of inconclusive talks between the prosperous farmers’ 40-odd groups, and the Centre, the US said on Thursday, with reference to the three farm laws, that it “welcomed steps that would improve the efficiency of India’s markets and attract greater private investments.” It also ‘encouraged” differences between the parties to be resolved “through dialogue”

The US State Department and the US Embassy’s spokesperson in New Delhi said, “We recognize that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy, and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same. 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.”

On internet restrictions at the protest sites along the Delhi borders, the spokesperson said, “We recognize that unhindered access to information, including the internet, is fundamental to the freedom of expression and a hallmark of a thriving democracy.”

In an unusual move, India had on Wednesday slammed “celebrities and others” for their comments in support of farmer protests, calling them “neither accurate nor responsible”.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “Before rushing to comment on such matters, we would urge that the facts be ascertained, and a proper understanding of the issues at hand be undertaken. The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible.”

Defending the new farm laws, the MEA clarified: “The Parliament of India, after a full debate and discussion, passed reformist legislation relating to the agricultural sector. These reforms give expanded market access and provide greater flexibility to farmers. They also pave the way for economically and ecologically sustainable farming.”

It said, “a very small section of farmers in parts of India has some reservations about these reforms”.

“Respecting the sentiments of the protestors, the Government of India has initiated a series of talks with their representatives. Union Ministers have been part of the negotiations, and eleven rounds of talks have already been held. The Government has even offered to keep the laws on hold, an offer iterated by no less than the Prime Minister of India,” the MEA said.

“Yet, it is unfortunate to see vested interest groups trying to enforce their agenda on these protests, and derail them. This was egregiously witnessed on January 26, India’s Republic Day. A cherished national commemoration, the anniversary of the inauguration of the Constitution of India, was besmirched, and violence and vandalism took place in the Indian capital.”

“Some of these vested interest groups have also tried to mobilize international support against India. Instigated by such fringe elements, Mahatma Gandhi’s statues have been desecrated in parts of the world. This is extremely disturbing for India and for civilized society everywhere,” it said, referring to statues being vandalized in the US recently.

The MEA had said Indian police forces have handled these protests with the utmost restraint. “It may be noted that hundreds of men and women serving in the police have been physically attacked, and in some cases stabbed and seriously wounded,” it said.

“We would like to emphasize that these protests must be seen in the context of India’s democratic ethos and polity, and the efforts of the Government and the concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse,” it said.

In December 2020, days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau supported the protesting farmers, India summoned the Canadian envoy and warned that such “actions”, if they continued, would have a “seriously damaging impact” on bilateral ties. Apparently, Trudeau was prompted to support the Punjabi-farmers led agitation, by the Canadian Sikh community, which has now been re-infiltrated by the new generation of pro-Khalistani elements.

The Khalistanis, allegedly funded by some prosperous NRIs and Punjabi farmers, also managed to garner the support of some members of parliament in the UK and Australia, and a Republican Party functionary from the US.

On the eve of Republic Day, these extremists vandalized the Indian Embassy in Rome and pasted pro-Khalistani posters.