BSS-51 India expresses dissatisfaction over discussion on press freedom, farm laws in UK parliament

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BSS-51

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India expresses dissatisfaction over discussion on press freedom, farm laws in UK parliament

NEW DELHI, March 9, 2021 (BSS) – India today summoned the British High Commissioner to express dissatisfaction over the discussion on press freedom and farmer’s agitation in the British parliament describing it as “gross interference” in domestic politics.

“Foreign Secretary summoned the British High Commissioner and conveyed strong opposition to the unwarranted and tendentious discussion on agricultural reforms in India in the British Parliament,” according to a statement issued by Indian Ministry of External Affairs here this evening.

It said that the Foreign Secretary made it clear that this represented a “gross interference” in the politics of another democratic country.

He advised that British MPs should refrain from practicing vote bank politics by misrepresenting events, especially in relation to another fellow democracy.

Earlier, the Indian mission in the United Kingdom issued a statement calling the UK Westminster discussion on press freedom and farmer’s stir as “one-sided and based on false assertions”.

The Indian High Commission asserted that the question of lack of press freedom in India does not arise as the foreign media, including the British media, here have witnessed the events under discussion first-hand, news agency ANI today quoted the statement as saying.

A 90-minute debate on the issue was held in British parliament on Monday during which parliament members of various parties took part in the discussion when they reportedly raised concern over the Indian government’s “reaction” to the protest.

BSS/AIM/MRU/2237hrs