Setting the Record Straight: India’s Foreign Minister Refutes US President Biden on Xenophobia and Economic Growth

In a roundtable discussion hosted by The Economic Times, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar refuted US President Joe Biden’s claim that “xenophobia” was hindering India’s economic progress. Jaishankar emphasized that India’s economy is not in trouble and that it has always been an open society. He used the Citizenship Amendment Act as evidence of India’s commitment to welcoming those in need and allowing persecuted immigrants from neighboring countries to obtain citizenship.

Joe Biden’s comments about xenophobia in China, Japan, and India impeding economic growth were met with criticism from Japan, which issued 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 also predicted a slowdown in economic growth for Asia’s largest economies, including India, in 2024, while the US economy was expected to see slight growth partly due to migrants contributing to the labor force.

The report presented a contrast between the US and Asian perspectives on the role of migration in economic growth. While Biden highlighted the positive impact of immigrants on the US economy, Jaishankar emphasized India’s history of openness and willingness to embrace those in need. Japan’s displeasure with Biden’s remarks underscores the importance of accurate understanding of each country’s policies and stances when discussing economic growth and immigration.