ugc_banner

No foreign government supported farmers agitation: India's Ministry of External Affairs

WION
New Delhi, IndiaWritten By: Sidhant SibalUpdated: Feb 03, 2021, 11:13 PM IST
main img
The repeal of these three legislations has been one of the key demands of around 40 farmer unions protesting against these reforms for nearly a year now. Photograph:(Reuters)

Story highlights

The Ministry of External Affairs has said no foreign government has supported the farmer's agitation in the backdrop of the passage of farm laws by the Indian parliament, though there were few "motivated protests" and a comment by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau

The Ministry of External Affairs has said no foreign government has supported the farmer's agitation in the backdrop of the passage of farm laws by the Indian parliament, though there were few "motivated protests" and a comment by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.

In response to a question in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha, minister of state in the MEA, V Muraleedharan said, "No foreign government has given support to the agitation of Indian farmers against three bills passed by Indian Parliament", pointing out, "In Canada, UK, USA, and in few European countries, protests by a few motivated PIO’s (Persons of Indian origin) on issues related to the Indian Farm Bill have been reported."

The only world leader to make a public comment on the issue was Canadian PM Justin Trudeau which was strongly slammed by India. The Canadian Ambassador to India Nadir Patel was summoned by MEA and a strong note of protest was handed over. 

MEA MoS highlighted the Canadian PM's comments were taken up with the "Canadian authorities both in Ottawa and New Delhi and conveyed that such comments pertaining to the internal affairs of India are unwarranted, unacceptable" and "would damage India-Canada bilateral relations."

From India removing the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, CAA protests or farmers agitation, New Delhi has always sharply reacted to any reaction by foreign entities and reminded them that they have no locus to react on the country's internal matters. 

author

Sidhant Sibal

Sidhant Sibal is the principal diplomatic correspondent for WION. When he is not working, you will find him playing with his dog.