Citing similarity between India’s Red Fort violence to that of US Capitol Hill’s riots, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava said, "India and US are both vibrant democracies with shared values. Incidents of violence and vandalism at historic Red Fort on Jan 26 evoked similar sentiments and reactions in India as did the Capitol Hill incident on Jan 6 and are addressed as per local laws.” He said both incidents invoked a similar response.
Earlier on Thursday, a spokesperson of the US State Department had said that the Joe Biden administration recognises "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".
The spokesperson also said that "the United States welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector investment".
The statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry had explained that the three new agriculture legislation has been passed by the Parliament of India after thorough debate and discussions. The statement further read that these reforms will “provide greater flexibility to the farmers” and expand market access. Besides these changes will also “pave the way for economically and ecologically sustainable farming," it said.
In the statement, the MEA said that only a small section of farmers in the country have some doubts about these agriculture reforms. "Respecting the sentiments of the protesters, the government of India has initiated a series of talks with their representatives. Union ministers have been part of the negotiations, and 11 rounds of talks have already been held.”
The union government has even proposed to stay the laws on hold for 18 months, an offer that has been emphasised by the Prime Minister of India himself said the statement.
"Yet, it is unfortunate to see vested interest groups trying to enforce their agenda on these protests, and derail them. This was egregiously witnessed on January 26, India's Republic Day. A cherished national commemoration, the anniversary of the inauguration of the Constitution of India, was besmirched, and violence and vandalism took place in the Indian capital," the ministry said after international celebrities and ministers started talking about Indian farmers' protest, alleging of foreign elements conspiring against India.
Also Read: Centre govt says Trudeau's remarks on farm laws may damage bilateral ties
The ministry said that the Indian police forces had handled these continuing protests with full restraint, while hundreds of its men and women officers were severely injured and many being critical.
Thousands of protesting farmers had clashed with the police during the tractor parade called by farmers on R-Day to highlight their demands. Many protesters deviated from the assigned route for the proposed tractor rally and barged into the Red Fort, hoisted religious flags, attacked cops, vandalised police vehicles and the ticket counter at the Red Fort.