In a recent campaign fundraising event, US President Joe Biden sparked controversy by labelling US allies India and Japan as “xenophobic” nations alongside adversaries China and Russia, citing their reluctance to embrace immigrants. The remarks, made against the backdrop of an upcoming election and the celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, have ignited discussions about the differing immigration policies and economic landscapes among these countries.

India has always been proud of its multi-ethnic identity, living with the motto ‘unity in diversity’. However, in recent times, our burgeoning population and youthful demographic also present a contrasting picture. The country has been grappling with the complexities of immigration, highlighted by the recent enactment of a controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The move has drawn widespread criticism from the Western countries, questioning the country’s commitment to inclusive and secular values.

Biden’s comments come at a time when immigration policies are under intense scrutiny globally, particularly in the United States, where the issue has been a focal point of political debates.

“”This election is about freedom, America and democracy. That’s why I badly need you. You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants,” Biden told his supporters on Wednesday evening.

“We look to – the reason – look, 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,” Biden, the presumptive candidate of the Democratic Party, said.

Japan also faces demographic challenges due to a declining birth rate and an ageing population, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government has been exploring ways to attract foreign workers to address labour shortages. Despite historically strict immigration policies, Japan has been gradually opening its doors to skilled workers from abroad in recent years.

Many commentators, however, pointed out that ‘Xenophobia’ is rather a strong word to describe India or Japan as it implies a strong fear or prejudice against people from other ethnic backgrounds. Moreover, India and Japan are close allies of the US and members of QUAD — a four-member strategic security dialogue that also includes Australia.

Immigration is among the most polarising issues in US politics, especially in the last three election cycles. The topic is expected to play a central role in this year’s presidential election as well. Estimates suggest that illegal border crossings have contributed to an average of 2 million influx into the United States per year since 2021 — the highest level ever.

Polls so far show a broad public disapproval of how President Biden has handled the surge. Biden, however, praised the United States’ stance on immigration, saying that the country thrives on diversity and welcomes immigrants as contributors to its strength and prosperity. Despite facing immigration challenges for decades, the U.S. has long prided itself on being a melting pot of cultures and a land of opportunity for immigrants seeking better lives.

Earlier this week, a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom flagged India as one of the ‘countries of particular concern’, along with countries like North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia. India’s external affairs ministry said that the panel is a “biased organisation with a political agenda”.

An analysis last year based on the data from the World Values Survey (WVS) ranked Iran, Russia, Japan, China, and Greece as the five most racist countries in the world. India was not part of this analysis. However, in the past, international surveys have ranked India among the most racist countries.

The White House jumped into a firefighting mode after the President’s comments and sais that they were part of a broader discussion on the economic implications of immigration policies and the role of immigrants in driving growth and innovation. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, “Our allies and partners know well in tangible ways how Prez Biden values them, their friendship, their cooperation and the capabilities that they bring across the spectrum on a range of issues, not just security related”.

White House press secretary, Karine Jean Pierre, said, “The broader case that he was trying to make, which most leaders and allies across the globe understand that when it comes to who we are as a nation, we are a nation of immigrants. That is in our DNA. You have heard the prez say it, it makes us better, and we are stronger for it and that is a very important point to know.”

As the world grapples with the complexities of immigration, Biden’s remarks serve as a reminder of the ongoing dialogues over polarising topics at the intersection of immigration, economic prosperity, and national identity, across the globe. While opinions may vary on the best approach to immigration policy, the need for constructive and diplomatic dialogue and collaboration among nations remains paramount to navigate the current geo-political challenges.

(With inputs from agencies)