Japan and India expressed their disappointment over President Joe Biden’s recent remarks during a campaign fundraising event, where he labeled them as “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants. Both nations found the remarks to be unfair and inaccurate.
Japan disagreed with Biden’s assessment, stating that it was not rooted in a true comprehension of their policies. On the other hand, India defended itself against the comment, asserting its position as the most open society globally.
Biden categorized Japan and India as “xenophobic” nations, along with Russia and China, in an attempt to illustrate their economic challenges. He contrasted these four countries with the United States, highlighting America’s status as a nation built on immigration.
Japan holds a crucial position as a key ally of the United States. It is worth noting that both Japan and India are integral members of the Quad, which is an informal partnership led by the U.S. and also includes Australia. The primary objective of this alliance is to effectively counter the growing assertiveness of China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Just a few weeks ago, President Biden welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on an official visit. During their meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to their “unbreakable alliance” and agreed to strengthen their security cooperation in response to the growing threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to Washington last year, where he received a warm welcome from business and political leaders.
The White House clarified that Biden’s intention was not to offend anyone but rather to emphasize that the United States is a nation built on immigrants. They emphasized that he had no desire to undermine the relationship with Japan.
A Japanese government official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, stated on Saturday that Japan is aware of Biden’s remark and the subsequent clarification.
According to the official, it is regrettable that a portion of Biden’s speech was not grounded in a precise comprehension of Japanese policies. Nevertheless, Japan acknowledges that Biden made the statement to underscore the significance of immigrants as a source of strength for America.
According to the official, Prime Minister Kishida demonstrated the strength of Japan-U.S. relations during his visit to the United States in April, stating that they are “stronger than ever.”
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, responded to Biden’s comment by emphasizing that India is, in fact, the most open society globally.
During a roundtable organized by the Economic Times newspaper, Jaishankar expressed his admiration for the openness, pluralism, and diversity of society. He emphasized that not only are we not xenophobic, but we are actually the most open, pluralistic, and understanding society in the world.
According to Jaishankar, India’s annual GDP growth stands at 7%. He emphasized that comparing India’s growth rate with other countries would provide a clear answer.
According to government figures, the U.S. economy experienced a growth of 2.5% in 2023.
During a hotel fundraiser on Wednesday, attended by a predominantly Asian American donor audience, Biden emphasized the significance of the upcoming U.S. election, highlighting its connection to “freedom, America, and democracy.” He expressed gratitude to the attendees, stating that the thriving state of the nation’s economy was a result of their contributions and the efforts of many others.
“Why? Because we embrace immigrants,” Biden asserted. “Consider it for a moment. Why is China struggling economically? Why is Japan facing difficulties? Why is Russia? Why is India? It’s because they exhibit xenophobia. They are averse to immigrants.”
Japan, traditionally known for its strict immigration policies, has taken steps in recent years to make it more accessible for foreign workers to enter and remain in the country. This change in approach aims to address the challenges posed by Japan’s declining birth rate and rapidly shrinking population. In fact, the number of births in Japan reached a historic low last year, marking a significant decline since the country began keeping records in 1899.
India, with the largest population in the world, implemented a new citizenship law earlier this year. This law established religious criteria for fast-tracking naturalization for individuals who fled to India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians are eligible for this fast-tracking, while Muslims are excluded.
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