New Delhi: In response to recent remarks by US President Joe Biden, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has firmly rejected allegations of xenophobia leveled against India. Addressing President Biden’s claims, Jaishankar emphasised India’s long-standing tradition of openness and acceptance toward people from diverse backgrounds.
Speaking to The Economic Times, EAM Jaishankar highlighted India’s economic achievements, dismissing assertions of a faltering economy. He pointed out that India has consistently been the fastest-growing major economy globally in recent years and has gone on to become the fifth-largest global economy.
Earlier on Thursday, President Biden during a fundraising event in Washington suggested that countries like India, China, Japan, and Russia were experiencing economic challenges due to their purported xenophobic attitudes towards immigrants.
“Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they’re xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong. Not a joke; that’s not hyperbole. Because we have an influx of workers who want to be here and want to contribute,” President Biden stated.
In response, EAM Jaishankar reiterated India’s inclusive ethos, citing initiatives like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as evidence of India’s welcoming stance towards those in need.
“That’s why we have the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), which is to open up doors for people who are in trouble… I think we should be open to people who have the need to come to India, who have a claim to come to India,” EAM Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar also addressed concerns regarding biased media coverage, particularly highlighting the ongoing anti-Israel protests on American university campuses. He criticised certain sections of the Western media for their biased reporting, alleging ideological motivations and a lack of objectivity in shaping the global narrative.
The White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden was attempting to make a larger point when the media inquired about whether he would want to apologise to Japan for the comment. “The broader case that he was trying to make, which I think most leaders and allies across the globe understand, he was saying that… we are a nation of immigrants, that is in our DNA,” she said.
She added, “As it relates to our relationship with our allies, that continues. Obviously, we have a strong relationship with India, with Japan.” She added, “As it relates to our relationship with our allies, that continues. Obviously, we have a strong relationship with India, with Japan.” Biden has been relentlessly hit by Republicans over immigration which is among the major issues in the 2024 polls.
