US Speaks in Support of India’s New Farm Laws: States Good for Indian Markets

New Farms Laws: Get the latest updates on the farm laws

Thursday, 4th February 2021

The United States of America expressed its support on Wednesday, for India’s new farm laws stating it would help the country garner more private sector investment and “improve the efficiency” of Indian markets.

A state department spokesperson said in reaction to the farmer protests going on in India, that Washington recognizes that “peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy”.  He added that differences between the parties must be resolved through dialogue.

The spokesperson also said, “We recognize that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy, and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same.”

He stated that their country as a general rule, “welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector investment.”

Since the end of November 2020, farmers in India have been in protest, carrying out their demonstrations near the borders of the national capital. The agitation started when three new farm laws were announced - Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

On Republic Day, this year, the agitation took a turn for the worse as violence broke out during a farmers’ tractor rally in Delhi.

Participants of the rally disturbed the program and broke barricades to enter the capital hours before they were scheduled for entry. There was widespread vandalism in several parts of the city during the tractor rally that was ironically organized to demonstrate peaceful protests against the three new farm laws.

Later in the month, when the government was holding its eleventh round of talks with farmers’ associations and representatives of the protestors, they proposed to hold off the new legislation for the duration of a year and a half. The government also proposed to set up a joint committee that would discuss the Acts.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source:

NDTV