India Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar rejected US President Joe Biden’s suggestion that “xenophobia” was hindering India’s economic progress, as reported by The Economic Times. During a round table discussion hosted by the newspaper, Jaishankar emphasized that India’s economy is not struggling and that it has historically been an open society. He cited the Citizenship Amendment Act as evidence of India’s willingness to welcome those in need, allowing persecuted immigrants from neighboring countries to gain citizenship.
Joe Biden’s comments about xenophobia in China, Japan, and India impeding economic growth were met with criticism from Japan, with a government statement calling the characterization “unfortunate” and off base. Tokyo expressed its disappointment with the remarks and clarified its policies to the White House. The International Monetary Fund’s predictions also indicated a slowdown in economic growth for Asia’s largest economies in 2024, while the US economy was expected to see slight growth, partly due to migrants contributing to the labor force.
The overall picture presented in the report highlights contrasting perspectives on the role of migration in economic growth between the US and Asian countries. While Biden emphasizes the positive impact of immigrants on the US economy, Jaishankar’s response underscores India’s history of openness and willingness to embrace those in need. Japan’s displeasure with Biden’s remarks further underscores the importance of accurate understanding of each country’s policies and stances in discussions surrounding economic growth and immigration.
