Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on the Rights of Peasants during the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva delivered by Mr. Mohammed Hussain K.S., Counsellor & Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations Geneva on 17 September 2025

Mr. President,

1. We thank the Working Group for its report and acknowledge both the achievements and challenges it has identified with respect to India. Allow me to briefly address some of the concerns raised.

2. India’s land reforms are guided by the objectives of reducing inequality, enhancing agricultural productivity, and promoting social justice. Measures such as the abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms, and land ceilings have been complemented by modern initiatives, including the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number, transliteration of land records, and the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme, which together aim to digitize land administration and move towards conclusive titling. Alongside strong legal and policy frameworks to combat caste and gender-based disparities, the Government is prioritizing farmer welfare by addressing issues such as suicides and indebtedness through investments in agriculture, improved infrastructure, credit delivery, technology, and direct cash transfers, as well as defending their interests in international fora. These efforts are particularly significant given the scale and magnitude of India’s farmers and rural population within a country of 1.4 billion people.

3. As rightly acknowledged by the Working Group, India has a strong legal and institutional framework that supports these efforts. Key legislations include the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001; the Seeds Act, 1966; and the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. In addition, the Biological Diversity Act, the Environment (Protection) Act, and the Forest (Conservation) Act, among others, ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, protection of traditional knowledge, and equitable benefit-sharing.

4. In parallel, as also noted by the Working Group, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme continues to strengthen rural livelihoods by generating employment, improving infrastructure, empowering women, and supporting environmental sustainability. Initiatives such as Project UNNATI and targeted measures for Scheduled Castes and Tribes further advance inclusive growth.