US (Washington Insider Magazine)— President Joe Biden recently described Japan and India as “xenophobic,” aligning them with Russia and China as nations that resist immigration. This criticism of Japan comes shortly after Biden hailed the U.S.-Japan alliance as “unbreakable” during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s state visit. Despite ongoing concerns about human rights and religious freedoms in India, it remains a crucial partner for the U.S.
During a campaign fundraising event targeting an Asian-American audience, Biden stated that the upcoming U.S. election is centered around “freedom, America, and democracy,” emphasizing that “we welcome immigrants.” He attributed economic stagnation in countries like China, Japan, and Russia to their xenophobic attitudes, suggesting that their reluctance to accept immigrants hinders their growth.
Responses to Biden’s comments have been mixed. The BBC reached out to embassies in Japan, India, China, and Russia for reactions, but did not receive immediate replies. However, U.S. commentators criticized Biden’s remarks. Elbridge Colby, a former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense, expressed on X (formerly Twitter) that Japan and India are vital allies deserving of respect, asserting that applying a “parochial progressive” lens to these countries is both patronizing and foolish.
While Japan and India have relatively few foreign-born workers, Russia relies heavily on migrant labor, particularly from Central Asia. Japan and China have struggled with sluggish economic growth, whereas Russia’s militarized economy has shown slight recovery amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine. India, however, has witnessed steady growth, recently surpassing the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy.
The White House has clarified that Biden did not intend to offend, with national security spokesman John Kirby explaining that the president was making a broader point about U.S. immigration policy. Kirby stated, “Our allies and partners know well in tangible ways how President Biden values them, their friendship, their cooperation,” emphasizing Biden’s commitment to alliances.
Sadanand Dhume, a South Asia expert at the American Enterprise Institute, noted that Biden’s comments might be poorly received in India, particularly given the country’s current nationalist sentiment. He remarked that such remarks could reinforce perceptions among some Indians that Biden is not friendly toward their country, especially being grouped with authoritarian regimes like China.
In late April, a U.S. Department of State report highlighted “significant” human rights abuses in India, which the Indian government criticized as biased and lacking understanding. However, Dhume suggested that Biden’s comments are more of a “tempest in a teacup” and unlikely to severely impact U.S.-Indian relations.
Japan has historically maintained stringent immigration policies but has recently begun facilitating the entry of foreign workers to address its declining population. Biden, who frequently labeled former President Donald Trump as xenophobic during his 2020 campaign, has adopted a more restrictive immigration stance amid widespread frustration over his administration’s management of the U.S.-Mexico border.