News DeskIn recent comments that have rippled through diplomatic circles, US President Joe Biden sparked controversy by labeling India, along with other nations, as “xenophobic,” implicating this stance in their economic challenges. However, India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, swiftly rebutted these assertions, highlighting India’s rich history of openness to diverse cultures.
Speaking to the Economic Times, Jaishankar challenged Biden’s characterization, asserting India’s robust economy and pointing to initiatives like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as evidence of India’s inclusive ethos.
“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,” said Jaishankar.
He emphasized that no individuals have lost citizenship due to the CAA, countering criticisms and affirming India’s commitment to fostering inclusivity.
Jaishankar’s defense of India’s stance comes at a critical moment, amidst concerns over the portrayal of India’s policies on the global stage. He also addressed the recent wave of anti Israel protests in American university campuses, criticizing biased media coverage that shapes global narratives. Additionally, Jaishankar addressed reports of India’s alleged involvement in targeted killings of terrorists in Pakistan, emphasizing the complexities of counterterrorism efforts.
On April 2, Biden had said the “xenophobic” nature of India, China, Japan and Russia is responsible for their economic troubles and argued that America’s economy is growing because it welcomes immigrants to its soil. He made the statement while campaigning for his re-election at Washington fundraising event and argued that Japan, along with Russia and China, would perform better economically if the countries embraced immigration more.
“Why? Because we welcome immigrants. We look to — the reason — look, think about it. 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,” Biden said.
Biden’s comments, made during a fundraising event, stirred debate about the economic trajectories of nations like India, China, Japan, and Russia, with Biden attributing their struggles to a purported xenophobic stance. However, the White House swiftly moved to clarify Biden’s intentions, stressing his respect for allies like India and Japan, and reaffirming his commitment to bolstering diplomatic ties.
While Biden’s remarks captured attention, the roundtable discussion notably sidestepped questions about Islamophobic rhetoric in Indian politics, including criticisms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anti-Islamic statements. This omission underscores ongoing tensions and complexities within Indian society, as well as the challenges of navigating delicate diplomatic terrain.
