Farmer Unions claim 'political victory' & 'Centre's defeat' as UK PM calls off India visit

After British PM Boris Johnson on Tuesday cancelled his planned trip to India to be chief guest for Republic Day celebrations, Farmer unions protesting against three new agriculture laws on Wednesday claimed that cancellation was a "political win" for m and a "diplomatic defeat" for government. Farmer unions' also asserted ir agitation has been receiving global support.

'A political win for farmers': Sanyukt Kisan Morcha

" cancellation of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's India visit is a political win for farmers and a diplomatic defeat for Modi government...political and social organisations across world have been supporting agitation," Sankyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of protesting Farmer Unions, said in a statement in Hindi, according to news ncy PTI.  

statement said farmers have alrey anunced a tractor protest march on January 26 and a "rehearsal" for it on January 7. " cancellation of UK Prime Minister's visit because of all se efforts is surely a big victory for farmers," statement re.

However, Boris Johnson's visit was cancelled stating that it was important for him to remain in United Kingdom to focus on domestic response to COVID-19 in wake of speed at which new coronavirus variant was spreing. A Downing Street spokesperson said that Johnson spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month.

" Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Modi this morning to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned," spokesperson said. "In light of national lockdown anunced last night, and speed at which new coronavirus variant is spreing, Prime Minister (Johnson) said that it was important for him to remain in UK so he can focus on domestic response to virus," spokesperson ded.

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Meanwhile, according to a release issued by Prime Minister Modi's Office on Tuesday, "Prime Minister Johnson reiterated his thanks for India's invitation for him as Chief Guest of forthcoming Republic Day celebrations but regretted his inability to attend in view of changed COVID-19 context prevailing in UK. He reiterated his keenness to visit India in near future," it h stated.

Centre-Farmers delock continues

seventh round of talks between protesting unions and three Central ministers ended inconclusively on Monday as farmer groups stuck to ir demand for repeal of three laws, while government listed out various benefits of new Acts for growth of country's agriculture sector.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar h said he remains hopeful of a solution in next meeting on January 8 but asserted that efforts need to be me from both sides for a resolution to be reached (taali do haathon se bajti hai).

Last month, government h sent a draft proposal to protesting farmer unions, suggesting seven-eight amendments to new laws and a written assurance on MSP procurement system. government has ruled out a repeal of three agri laws.

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(With ncy inputs)