Extending support to India's new farm laws, the United States on Wednesday said that it would improve the efficiency of India's markets and pave the way for greater investment from the private sector, news agency PTI reported.
However, the US State Department also added that peaceful protests are a hallmark of a thriving democracy and pointed out that the Indian Supreme Court has also said the same thing.
The statement is being seen as a support to the controversial farm laws by the Joe Biden administration. The agricultural reforms in India are meant to encourage private investment in farming and give market access to farmers.
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"In general, the United States welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector investments," said a state department spokesperson.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had earlier said that India's new farm laws have the "potential to represent a significant step forward" for reforms in the agriculture sector.
However, many lawmakers and Hollywood celebrities like Rihanna have come out in support of farmers that has sparked a row of controversy on Indian social media.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg also posted a tweet in support of farmers' protest in India. However, she also shared a toolkit on social media for these protests which added fuel to the view that a widespread campaign may have been on much before January 26. The document was restricted thereafter and the tweet was deleted, as per reports.
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Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued a statement saying that the Indian Parliament passed the reformist legislation for the agricultural sector which a very small section of farmers have some reservations about and that's why laws are on hold as both government and farmers are engaged in talks.
The farmers have been protesting to demand the repeal of three controversial agricultural laws enacted in September. There have been several rounds of talks between the farmers and the government to resolve the conflict but the dialogues failed to end the deadlock.
