UK PM Boris Johnson confuses farmers' agitation with India-Pakistan issue; dumbfounds all

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday was asked about farmers' protest in India by a Labour MP and he mixed up two separate issues as he reiterated UK government's stance that any dispute between India and Pakistan was for two countries to settle bilaterally.

British Sikh Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who has been vocal about farmers' agitation, repeated one of his previous Twitter statements on issue in House of Commons during weekly Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) session.

'Everyone has a fundamental right to peaceful protest'

"Many constituents, especially those emanating from Punjab and or parts of India, and I were horrified to see foot of water canns, teargas and brute force being used against peacefully protesting farmers. However, it was heart-warming to see those very farmers feeding those forces who had been ordered to beat or suppress m. What indomitable spirit, and it takes a special kind of people to do that," opposition lawmaker said.

"So, will Prime Minister (Johnson) convey to Indian Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) our heartfelt anxieties, our hopes for a speedy resolution to current deadlock and does he agree that everyone has a fundamental right to peaceful protest?" he questioned Johnson.

'So disappointed with Johnson's response': British MP

Johnson, in his brief response, went on to address a completely unrelated matter instead. "Our view is that of course, we have serious concerns about what is happening between India and Pakistan but se are pre-eminently matters for those two governments to settle and I kw that he appreciates that point," said Johnson.

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Dhesi, who looked visibly perplexed, was quick to take to social media once again as he posted exchange on Twitter, adding: "But it might help if our PM actually knew what he was talking about!"

UK government has so far refused to be drawn into ongoing protests in India, with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) saying matter of handling protests was an internal one.

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and several or states have been protesting on various borders of Delhi since vember 26, seeking repeal of three farm laws enacted in September. Dubbing se laws as "anti-farmer", se farmers claim that newly enacted legislations would pave way for dismantling of Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, leaving m at "mercy" of big corporations. However, government has maintained that new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new techlogies in agriculture.

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