India condemns 'unwarranted discussion' in British Parliament on farm laws, calls it 'gross interference'

This is the first time the government of another nation has officially conducted parliamentary discussions on the farmers' protests in India, which is now continuing for more than 100 days.

"Foreign Secretary made clear that this represented a gross interference in the politics of another democratic country," an official statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday after the British envoy was summoned.

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

Earlier, the High Commission of India in London also condemned the "distinctly one-sided discussion" regarding the issue in the British Parliament on Monday.

This comes after the British Parliament held a debate in regard to the ongoing farmers' protest in India against the government's three agriculture laws.

The discussion also focussed on the issue of freedom of the press in India.

"We deeply regret that rather than a balanced debate, false assertions – without substantiation or facts – were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions,” a statement issued by the high commission said.

"Foreign media, including the British media, are present in India and have witnessed the events under discussion first-hand. The question of lack of freedom of the media in India does not arise," it read.

The UK government has also responded that concerns will be raised with India when both Prime Ministers meet in person."

Earlier in February, the United States backed the farm laws by the Indian Government and said they would "improve efficiency".

In its remarks seen as a support for the farm laws, the US said, "In general, the United States welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector investment."