Farmers' protest: A global public outreach by MEA to fend off criticism

India's February 3 statement meant to counter the censure of government's handling of the farmers' protests by iconic pop star Rihanna and others was, as it turns out, far from a one-off exercise. From reaching out to local media and intellectuals to engaging international organisations like UN's FAO and WTO, the Indian missions are currently in the middle of an elaborate exercise undertaken to convince international influencers, and not just foreign governments, about the efficacy of India's farms laws in question.

After the statement by MEA slamming international celebrities for their remarks on the protests, Indian missions were instructed to immediately carry out an extensive outreach to key local opinion makers and influential members of Indian diaspora to highlight India's position.

The point which the Indian missions, especially in the West, are seeking to make is that the government is still negotiating with the protesting farmers to address the issues raised by them and that it's a democratic process being handled by Indian authorities accordingly.


The government has also provided detailed notes to Indian diplomats with answers to questions that are frequently being asked abroad about recent developments in India related to the ongoing protests.

It is also learnt that India's Permanent Representatives remain in touch with organisations like FAO, IMF and World Bank on the issue.

Diplomats in missions across the world have been asked to activate their contacts in mainstream media, both print and electronic. This is the second such media blitz planned by the government abroad in recent times after a similar exercise last year for a more effective articulation of its position on the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

The US, of course, is one of the main focus areas of India's outreach. Hollywood stars like Susan Sarandon and John Cusack have in the past few days joined the likes of Rihanna, Mia Khalifa and also US Vice President Kamala Harris' niece Meena Harris in throwing their lot with the farmers.

Significantly, even the Congressional India Caucus has urged India to ensure "norms of democracy are maintained" and that protesters are allowed to protest peacefully "and to have access to the Internet, and to journalists".

It's not known yet though if the government has sought to also approach Meena Harris or any of the celebrities supporting the farmers.

While the MEA has received some criticism for engaging directly with US celebrities, official sources said the statement found a lot of traction on social media. The statement on Twitter, retweeted by Indian missions across the world, is said to have garnered 1.72 crore "impressions" and close to 14 lakh engagements in the first 24 hours.

"All missions are monitoring important and relevant constituencies even on social media, apart from engaging foreign governments about the human rights issues raised recently," said a source. India had already been in touch with local governments on the issue but the focus earlier was on ensuring appropriate security for Indian missions and post in anticipation of violent protests.