jaishankar-rebuts-biden-s-xenophobic-remark-asserts-india-s-openness

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar dismissed recent remarks made by US President Joe Biden, asserting India's openness and vibrant economic trajectory in contrast to allegations of xenophobia.

 

Biden's comments, delivered during a fundraising event in Washington, sparked a diplomatic uproar as he categorised several countries, including India, as "xenophobic" for purportedly shunning immigrants. 

 

Responding to these assertions, Jaishankar emphasised India's historical tradition of openness and hospitality towards diverse societies.

 

"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," remarked Jaishankar, countering the notion of xenophobia propagated by Biden.

 

The External Affairs Minister cited India's economic prowess, positioning it as the fastest-growing major economy globally in recent years, with projections to ascend to the third-largest economy by the end of the decade. 

 

Rejecting Biden's insinuations of India's economic stagnation, Jaishankar underscored the nation's robust growth trajectory.

 

"Our economy is not faltering," affirmed Jaishankar, challenging Biden's assertions regarding India's economic standing.

 

Central to Jaishankar's defence was India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), introduced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which he portrayed as emblematic of India's inclusive ethos. 

 

The CAA, aimed at providing refuge to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries, serves as a testament to India's commitment to humanitarianism and inclusivity, Jaishankar contended.

 

However, Jaishankar did not shy away from addressing the broader narrative propagated by certain sections of the Western media, which he accused of biassed and ideological reporting. 

 

Drawing parallels with ongoing anti-Israel protests on American university campuses, Jaishankar criticised the media's selective coverage, suggesting a vested interest in shaping global narratives to serve ideological agendas.

 

"The ongoing protests at US universities underscore the ideological bent of a section of the Western media, which prioritises subjective narratives over objective reporting," remarked Jaishankar, highlighting the media's role in perpetuating biassed narratives.

 

To mitigate the potential diplomatic fallout from Biden's remarks, the White House issued a clarification, emphasising the President's respect for allies and partners, including India and Japan. 

 

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre reiterated Biden's focus on strengthening diplomatic ties with nations such as India and Japan, evident in his actions during his tenure.

 

"President Biden's comments were part of a broader message emphasising America's immigrant heritage and the strength derived from diversity," affirmed Jean Pierre, seeking to assuage concerns over the implications of Biden's remarks.