The 10th round of talks between India’s farmers and the Modi government took place in New Delhi today. The only developments reported out of that meeting is the government proposal to suspend for 18 months, the three new farm laws which the striking farmers oppose, and to set up a joint committee to discuss those three laws to bring an end to the stalemate, according to the Times of India. Farm protest leaders have not responded to the government’s proposal yet, but promised responding to the government following an internal discussion. The next round of talks has been scheduled for Jan. 22.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who headed the government side in all those talks, expressed optimism. He told the media: “During discussions, we said that the government is ready to put on hold the farm laws for one or one and half years. I’m happy that farmer unions have taken this very seriously and said that they would consider it tomorrow and convey their decision on Jan. 22.”
