In a roundtable event, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar rejected US President Joe Biden’s statement that “xenophobia” was hindering economic growth in India. According to The Economic Times, Jaishankar emphasized that India’s economy was robust and had always been a welcoming and open-minded society.
Jaishankar pointed to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as evidence of India’s commitment to helping those in need. The CAA allows immigrants fleeing persecution in neighboring countries to become Indian citizens, showcasing India’s willingness to provide a safe haven for those seeking refuge.
Biden’s comments about xenophobia stunting growth in China, Japan, and India did not sit well with authorities in those countries. Japan, in particular, expressed disappointment in 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 predicted that growth in Asia’s largest economies will slow down by 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 by pointing out that India’s economy was not failing historically has been a society that is welcoming and open-minded. He also highlighted how India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) allowed immigrants fleeing persecution in neighboring countries to become Indian citizens, showcasing India’s willingness to provide a safe haven for those seeking refuge.
The reactions from Asian countries also showed how complex immigration policies can be on a global scale, with each country having its unique stance on immigration policies and their impact on economic growth.
