Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Foreign Minister, rejected Joe Biden’s claim that xenophobia was hampering economic growth in the country, as reported by The Economic Times. In a roundtable discussion, Jaishankar emphasized that India’s economy was not failing and had always been a society that welcomed and embraced newcomers.
To illustrate India’s commitment to helping those in need, Jaishankar pointed to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). This law allows immigrants fleeing persecution in neighboring countries to become Indian citizens, demonstrating India’s willingness to provide a safe haven for those seeking refuge.
Biden’s remarks about xenophobia stunting growth in China, Japan, and India were met with disappointment from authorities in these countries. Japan specifically expressed its dissatisfaction with Biden’s characterization, calling it “unfortunate” and incorrect. Tokyo emphasized that the comments were not based on a true understanding of Japan’s policies and stance on immigration.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted that growth in Asia’s largest economies will slow down slightly in 2024 compared to the previous year. However, the US economy is expected to grow slightly faster at 2.7%, with economists attributing some of this growth to the contributions made by migrants to the country’s labor force. Biden’s remarks and the reactions from Asian countries highlight the complex interplay between immigration policies and economic growth on a global scale.
In conclusion, Jaishankar refuted Biden’s assertion that xenophobia was impeding economic growth in India, arguing that India has always been an open-minded society that welcomes immigrants. The CAA is evidence of this commitment to providing refuge for those in need. The reactions from Asian countries show how immigration policies can have far-reaching implications on both economic growth and international relations.