US urges for fresh talks with farmers

The US has criticized India's moves to block internet access at protest sites around the capital and called on the government and farmers to resolve their differences through talks ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations against new agriculture laws on Saturday. "We recognize that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same," the U.S. embassy said in a statement. "We encourage that any differences between the parties be resolved through dialog." The statement comes a day after India's foreign ministry criticized widely shared social media posts in support of the protests by pop singer Rihanna and environment activist Greta Thunberg as "vested interests" trying to "mobilize international support against India".

Farmers, who have been camped on the outskirts of the Indian capital since late November, have called for roads to be blocked across India on Saturday to demand repeal of the new legislation pushed through parliament by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which they say will allow corporates to take control of farming.

The US statement said it welcomes steps "that would improve the efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector investment" but criticized the internet restrictions at protest sites. "We recognize that unhindered access to information, including the internet, is fundamental to the freedom of expression and a hallmark of a thriving democracy."

At least 122 people have so far been arrested in New Delhi ahead of the latest demonstrations and following violent clashes on Jan. 26 when thousands of protesters entered the city for a tractor rally, according to the Delhi Police. Police investigations have also been initiated against several journalists and opposition lawmaker Shashi Tharoor for tweets about the police response to that violence. (Bloomberg)