The British government said on Monday during a passionate debate in Parliament complex on the subject of peaceful protests and press freedoms in India, that India and the UK together serve as a force for good in the UN Security Council and bilateral cooperation between the two countries helps solve many global problems. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Minister Nigel Adams, who was delegated to respond to the debate held in response to an e-petition that had crossed the 100,000-signature threshold needed for it to be accepted by the House of Commons Petitions Committee, said that the strong bilateral relationship and the prospect of even closer ties in the near future did not deter the UK from bringing up “thorny issues” with India. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed visit to India would include “honest discussions” on a variety of issues.
“The United Kingdom’s relationship with India is at a crossroads. Both governments are working to advance common goals in trade and investment, health, environmental protection, and in defence and security”, Adams said. “We’re also collaborating with India as a positive force in the UN Security Council, and as one of the (UK) Prime Minister’s guest countries at the G7 summit in June. This collaboration would assist in the resolution of global issues while also bolstering India’s and the United Kingdom’s stability and well-being “, he added.
Adams reiterated the government’s position that agricultural reforms are a “domestic matter” for India, and that British ministers and officials have been in constant communication with their Indian counterparts, and that the situation is being monitored “extremely closely.” The farmers’ protests and their coverage in India had caused “alarm and confusion” among British communities with family relations in India, according to this minister, who expressed hope that the ongoing dialogue between the Indian government and farmers’ unions would yield positive results.
India has stressed the importance of viewing farmer protests in the light of India’s democratic ethos and polity, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stated that some vested interest groups have attempted to rally international support against the government. Theresa Villiers, a member of the ruling Conservative Party’s backbench, said that agricultural reform has proven difficult around the world over the years, citing the postponement of new agricultural laws in India to allow for further “consultation and debate.” She stated that international organizations such as the IMF have praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempt to implement agricultural reforms, which many of his predecessors have resisted. “I understand that protesting farmers are concerned about their future, but Prime Minister Modi’s government has stated repeatedly that one of the main goals of the reforms is to make farming more productive, to boost the incomes of farmers, and to encourage agricultural investment to increase yields,” she said.
