Indian Foreign Minister Rejects Biden's Claim on Xenophobia Hindering Growth

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has refuted US President Joe Biden's claim that xenophobia is hindering India's economic growth. Speaking at an Economic Times roundtable on Friday, Jaishankar cited India's openness and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as evidence to the contrary.

Why this matters: The dispute between the Indian and US governments over xenophobia and economic growth has significant implications for international relations and global economic policies. It also highlights the importance of accurate understanding and representation of a country's policies and values in the global arena.

Jaishankar stated, "First of all, our economy is not faltering... India is always... India has been a very unique country... I would say actually, in the history of the world, that it's been a society which has been very open... different people from different societies come to India." He also mentioned the CAA, saying, "That's why we have the CAA, 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."

President Biden made his remarks at a Washington fundraising event on Friday, hailing the American acceptance of immigrants as the reason for the country's economic growth. He cited India, along with China, Japan, and Russia, as examples of "xenophobic" countries that are "stalling so badly economically." Biden stated,"One of the reasons why our economy's growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants... Why is China stalling so badly economically, why is Japan having trouble, why is Russia, why is India, because they'rexenophobic. They don't want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong."

Japan has also rejected Biden's characterization, calling it "unfortunate" and misguided. In response, Tokyo stated, "It was unfortunate that comments not based on an accurate understanding of Japan's policy were made."

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that growth in Asia's three largest economies, including India, will slow in 2024 from the previous year. In contrast, the IMF predicts that the US economy will grow 2.7%, slightly brisker than its 2.5% rate last year.

Jaishankar's response highlights India's stance on immigration and its historical openness to people in need. The CAA, passed in 2019, provides a path to Indian citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from neighboring countries. Despite the IMF's growth projections, Jaishankar maintains that India's economy is not faltering and that the country remains welcoming to immigrants.

Key Takeaways

• Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar refutes US President Biden's claim that xenophobia hinders India's economic growth.
• Jaishankar cites India's openness and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as evidence to the contrary.
• Biden claimed India, China, Japan, and Russia are "xenophobic" and "stalling economically" due to their immigration policies.
• Japan also rejected Biden's characterization, calling it "unfortunate" and misguided.
• The IMF predicts slower growth in Asia's three largest economies, including India, in 2024, while the US economy is expected to grow 2.7%.