WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, during a campaign fundraising event, criticized Japan and India, describing them as "xenophobic" nations unwelcoming to immigrants, and compared them to China and Russia, highlighting their economic challenges compared to the U.S. These remarks, made on Wednesday, followed the recent official visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the White House, where Biden praised the "unbreakable alliance" between the two countries, especially regarding global security.
The White House had also hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit last summer. Despite differences in human rights issues, India, as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, remains a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at a fundraiser attended primarily by Asian Americans, Biden emphasized the significant contribution of immigrants to the U.S. economy, contrasting it with other nations. He highlighted the economic challenges faced by China, Japan, Russia, and India, attributing their struggles to being "xenophobic" and unwelcoming to immigrants. Biden stressed that immigrants play a crucial role in strengthening the United States.
There was no immediate response from the Japanese or Indian governments regarding Biden's comments. White House national security spokesman John Kirby clarified that Biden was making a broader point about the U.S. stance on immigration and reiterated the value the president places on alliances and partnerships.
Biden's remarks coincided with the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and he was introduced at the fundraiser by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., one of two Asian American senators. She serves as a national co-chair for Biden's reelection campaign.
Both Japan and India face demographic challenges, albeit of different natures. Japan has been grappling with a shrinking population, with the number of births falling for the eighth consecutive year. Prime Minister Kishida has recognized the low birth rate as a significant crisis and has begun shifting policies to allow for more foreign workers.
In contrast, India's population has become the world's largest and is projected to continue growing. Earlier this year, India enacted a new citizenship law aimed at expediting naturalization for certain religious groups fleeing neighboring countries. However, the law excludes Muslims, marking a departure from India's historical approach to citizenship.