U.S. calls for dialogue to resolve India's farmers' protests
Send a link to a friend
[February 04, 2021]
By Sanjeev Miglani and Mayank Bhardwaj
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Wading into a
sensitive issue for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the U.S.
embassy in New Delhi on Thursday urged his government to resume talks
with farmers angry over agricultural reforms that sparked a months-long
protest campaign.
Largely restricted to the outskirts of New Delhi, the mostly peaceful
protests were marred by violence on Jan 26., when some protesters
entered the heart of the capital city after the Republic Day military
parade and clashed with police.
Television images broadcast internationally of protesters occupying the
ramparts of New Delhi's historic Red Fort and later clashing with police
raised awareness of the confrontation between Modi's government and the
farmers.
"We encourage that any differences between the parties be resolved
through dialogue," a U.S. embassy spokesperson said in a statement that
also proffered general support to government measures to "improve the
efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector
investment."
Modi's government has held multiple rounds of talks with representatives
of farmers who have camped in their thousands on the outskirts of the
capital since late 2020, but there has been no word on when talks would
resume following the Republic Day violence.
The farmers, who enjoy most support in northern India's breadbasket
states, argue that three new farm laws will hurt their interests while
benefiting large firms.
But the government says the reforms will bring much-needed investment to
a farm sector, that accounts for nearly 15% of India's $2.9 trillion
economy but employs about half its workforce.
The farmers' cause has also drawn support from the Indian diaspora in
Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States.
In late November, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised India
hackles by speaking about the protests in a video message, saying he was
concerned for the farmers. New Delhi said such comments were "an
unacceptable interference in our internal affairs."
[to top of second column]
|
A security personnel walks past metal spikes on the ground installed
by the Delhi police as a security measure at Tikri Border where
farmers are protesting against farm laws, in New Delhi, India,
February 4, 2021. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis
BARRICADES UP, INTERNET DOWN
Police remain on guard against further attempts by farmers to bring
their mass protest into the capital, and have bolstered barricades
at three main sites.
Earlier this week internet services were temporarily suspended in
some areas, drawing widespread criticism, including from
international activists and celebrities.
"We recognize that unhindered access to information, including the
internet, is fundamental to the freedom of expression and a hallmark
of a thriving democracy," the U.S. embassy spokesperson said.
In response to social media posts on the internet shutdowns, India's
Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said vested interest groups were
mobilising international support against the country.
There was no immediate response from the ministry to the U.S.
comments on Thursday.
Farm union leaders have been calling for a repeal of the new laws
and to make the government's crop price guarantee scheme legally
binding, and for the withdrawal of legal cases against protesters.
But, some farmer groups have expanded their list of demands.
At a rally in northern Haryana state on Wednesday, thousands of
farmers from the politically influential Jat community backed a call
to waive farm loans and increase crop prices paid by the government.
"If the government doesn't concede to our demands, thousands more
farmers will march towards Delhi," Kek Ram Kandela, a leader among
the Jat farmers, told the rally attended by more than 50,000 people.
(Additional reporting and Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by
Simon Cameron-Moore)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |