"Gross Interference": India Summons Envoy Over UK Debate On Farm Laws

India called in the British High Commissioner on Tuesday to express its disapproval of the discussions on farmers' protest and press freedom in the British parliament, calling it "gross interference" and "votebank politics".  This is the first time the government of another nation has officially conducted internal discussions on the protests, which have been continuing for more than 100 days.

The 90-minute debate was held on Monday, during which several MPs of the Labour party, Liberal democrats and the Scottish National Party raised concern over the Indian government's reaction to the protests.

The UK government had responded that concerns will be raised with India when both Prime Ministers meet in person."

New Delhi on Tuesday said the Foreign Secretary had summoned the British envoy and conveyed "strong opposition to unwarranted and tendentious discussion on agricultural reforms in India in the British Parliament".

The official has made it clear that this represented a gross interference in politics of another democratic country, the foreign ministry said.  

"He advised that British MPs should refrain from practicing votebank politics by misrepresenting events, especially in relation to another fellow democracy," a statement from the ministry read.

The debate had evoked a sharp response from the Indian High Commission in London yesterday.  "We deeply regret that rather than a balanced debate, false assertions - without substantiation or facts - were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions," the High Commission had said in a statement.

"Foreign media, including the British media, are present in India and have witnessed the events under discussion first-hand. The question of lack of freedom of the media in India does not arise," it read.

In February, the US had backed "peaceful protests" by farmers. Hailing the farm laws as reforms in the agriculture sector, it said they would "Improve Efficiency".

In remarks seen to indicate support for the farm laws, the US said, "In general, the United States welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector investment".

"We recognize that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy, and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same. We encourage that any differences between the parties be resolved through dialogue," said a US Embassy spokesperson, quoting from the State Department briefing.

Shortly before that, India had issued sharp remarks following comments by international celebrities and politicians on social media regarding the protests. The government had said the remarks were "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" as the matter was linked to the internal affairs of a democratic country.