- Saturday, May 18, 2024
The diplomat cited the example of the Indian government’s Citizenship Amendment Act law, saying it showcases India’s welcoming stance.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Friday (3) differed with US president Joe Biden’s remarks claiming India to be a “xenophobic” nation that does not welcome immigrants, saying the South Asian nation has always been an open society.
On May 2, Biden, who is seeking re-election in this year’s presidential election, said at a fundraiser event in Washington DC that countries like India, China and Japan are “xenophobic” and alleged that such a stance was hurting those economies as against the US which was growing with the help of immigrants.
Speaking to the Economic Times at a roundtable, the Indian diplomat contended that his country has always been open and welcoming people from diverse societies.
Read: Poll-bound Biden says ‘xenophobia’ behind India, China’s economic woes
On Biden’s claims on the Indian economy not doing well, Jaishankar said, “First of all, our economy is not faltering.”
His statement is based on the fact that India has been the fastest-growing major economy in the world over the last few years, and while it became the fifth-largest economy last year, it would become the third largest before the conclusion of the current decade.
Read: Opening of India’s market helps US farmers: Biden’s trade envoy
In his remarks, Biden had said, “You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants. We look to the reason (behind this)…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.”
The remark comes when a number of leaders in the US, whether they are people of America or those of Indian origin, have praised India over its economic progress.
Responding to the claim of “xenophobia”, Jaishankar said, “India has always 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 cited the example of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) saying how the law, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, showcases India’s welcoming stance.
“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,” he was quoted as saying.
In March, the Indian government implemented the CAA to expedite Indian citizenship for persecuted minorities (non-Muslims) in the neighbouring countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The US had reacted to the development saying it was closely monitoring the CAA’s implementation and was concerned over it.
Jaishankar also spoke about the ongoing protests in many universities in the US over the Israel-Palestine conflict and accused a section of the western media of doing biased coverage. He suggested that it is “very ideological” and not “objective” reporting. He also claimed that those sections of the media want to shape the global narrative and have also been targeting India.
Washington, meanwhile, issued a clarification over Biden’s “xenophobic” remarks, stressing his “respect” for allies.
India and Japan are among the members of the Quad grouping, which also features the US, and aims at countering China in the Indo-Pacific.
To curb the diplomatic fallout of President Biden’s remarks terming India, Japan, and other nations “xenophobic,” the White House issued a clarification on the President’s intentions, emphasising his “respect” for allies and partners.
White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre said Biden’s comments were part of a broader message, emphasising the strength derived from the US’s immigrant heritage.
She stressed that the incumbent president is firmly focused on bolstering diplomatic relationships with nations such as India and Japan, which is evident in his actions over the past few years.
“Obviously, we have a strong relationship with, India, with Japan, and the president if you just look at the last three years has certainly focused on those diplomatic relationships,” she said.
