In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden has referred to key United States allies Japan and India, along with China and Russia, as countries failing to reap the economic rewards of migration due to being “xenophobic.” These comments were made at a campaign fundraising event and have garnered attention and raised eyebrows, especially considering Biden’s efforts to deepen ties with Japan and India.
During the event to mark the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Biden highlighted the role of immigrants in driving economic growth, stating, “One of the reasons why our economy’s growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants.” He went on to question why countries like China, Japan, Russia, and India were facing economic challenges, attributing it to their alleged reluctance to embrace immigration.
Biden’s remarks on Japan and India came as a surprise, given his recent efforts to strengthen ties with these nations. Just three weeks prior to his comments, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was hosted at the White House for a state dinner, where Biden emphasized the “unbreakable” partnership between the US and Japan. Similarly, Biden welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House for a state visit last year, underscoring the importance of the US-India relationship.
Despite the apparent contradiction between Biden’s comments and his diplomatic efforts, the White House sought to downplay the remarks. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that the broader point the president was making is that the United States is a nation of immigrants, and its welcoming stance towards immigrants is part of its DNA. He reiterated the president’s respect for US allies and their contributions to global stability.
Japan, known for its historically low levels of migration, has been slowly opening its doors to outsiders to address its aging population. In contrast, India, now the world’s most populous nation, recently passed a new citizenship law fast-tracking naturalization for non-Muslims from neighboring countries. These legislative measures have prompted scrutiny and debate both domestically and internationally.
As of now, neither Japan nor India has officially responded to Biden’s remarks, leaving the door open for further diplomatic dialogue and engagement on immigration policies and their economic implications.
