US backs India’s farm laws amid protest, says peaceful protests are a hallmark of democracy

By Team Newsable | First Published Feb 4, 2021, 9:57 AM IST

Responding to a question on ongoing farmers' protests in India, the State Department said the US encourages that any differences between the parties be resolved through dialogue.

The United States on Wednesday came out in support of India's new farm laws, recognising that peaceful protests are a hallmark of a thriving democracy, said it welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector investment.

Reacting to the ongoing farm protests in India, a State Department spokesperson said that Washington recognizes that "peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy", adding that differences between the parties can be resolved through dialogue.

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"We recognise that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same," the State Department spokesperson said.

"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," the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, several American lawmakers came out in support of the farmers' protests in India.

Farmers have been protesting on the borders of Delhi since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws: 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.

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