US government reaction to farmer protests must be seen in its entirety says India

New Delhi, February 05: Taking a note of the US State Department's comment over farm laws, the Ministry of External Affairs thanked Washington for acknowledging steps taken by India for the development of the agricultural sector. Addressing a press conference, Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said," We have taken note of comments of the US State Department. It is important to see such comments in the context in which they were made and in their entirety," he said.

 

While comparing the violence and vandalism at the Red Fort on January 26 to those following the recent clashes at the US' Capitol Hill he said, the Republic Day violence at Red Fort "evoked similar sentiments and reactions" in India as did the Capitol Hill incident on January 6 and are addressed as per local laws. "The incidents of violence and vandalism at the historic Red Fort on January 26 have evoked similar sentiments and reactions in India as did the incidents on the Capitol Hill on 6 January and are being addressed as per our respective local laws," he said.

 

"US State Dept has acknowledged steps been taken by India towards agricultural reforms. Any protest must be seen in the context of India's democratic ethos and polity and ongoing efforts of the government and concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse," he said.

 

Srivastava also commented on the temporary measures utilized on January 26th, including the shutdown of 4G Internet, and said that the temporary measures were ‘understandably undertaken to prevent further violence.’ "The temporary measures with regard to internet access in certain parts of the NCR region were therefore understandably undertaken to prevent further violence," Srivastava added.

 

Yesterday, the Biden administration backed India's three farm laws passed by the Modi government, saying "It welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector investment." They also added that it welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India’s markets and attract greater private sector investment.