Greta Thunberg's Tweets On Farmers Protest Not Bilateral Issue With Sweden: MEA

Greta Thunberg Farmers Protest: Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg's comments on the farmers' protest have not caused any bilateral issue between India and Sweden, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently in a meeting with Swedish leaders but the Ministry confirmed that Thunberg's tweets did not come up during the meeting. Vikas Swarup, secretary of the ministry, said, "The answer is no. This is not a bilateral issue between India and Sweden."

Thunberg had posted a tweet last month in which she showed support to the farmers protesting against the new farm laws in India. Greta wrote, "We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India." She followed up the tweet with another one that had a controversial toolkit attached in the post and Thunberg asked people to show their support through it. She then deleted the tweet.

Great Thunberg was one of the many international women who decided to stand in support of the farmers. American pop star Rihanna, US VP's niece Meena Harris and many such joined the list. Thunberg's tweet created a stir on social media and was followed up by an FIR by the Delhi police. The police accused Thunberg and the Indian climate activist Disha Ravi of allegedly trying to tarnish the image of India by circulating the toolkit. The same was linked with the republic day riots on January 26, 2021. Disha Ravi after serving time in judicial custody was acquitted by the court.

While the police accused Ravi of being involved in anti-India activities but the judge who acquitted her did not see the toolkit as valid evidence.

Right after female celebrity Rihanna and activist Greta Thunberg tweeted about the protest, MEA had released its statement talking about "vested interests" being attached to the farmers protest. It was also said that farmers protest are India's internal matter and others should not comment on it.