Xenophobia hurting India and China economic growth, says Biden

During a fundraising event for his 2024 re-election bid, US President Joe Biden made remarks suggesting that certain countries, including India, China, Japan, and Russia, were hindered by “xenophobia,” which he believed was impeding their economic growth. Biden emphasized the importance of immigration in driving economic prosperity, contrasting the welcoming attitude towards immigrants in the United States with what he perceived as reluctance in other nations.

Biden’s comments were made on May 1, coinciding with the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. They come amid ongoing debates over immigration, which remains a polarizing issue in the 2024 US presidential campaign. According to recent surveys, immigration has been cited as the top concern among Americans for three consecutive months.

Despite projections of a global economic slowdown in 2024, India’s economy is expected to grow at a robust rate of 6.8%. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts varying growth rates across different countries, with developing nations like India expected to experience stronger growth compared to developed economies like Japan.

While immigration has been credited with contributing to economic growth in countries like the United States, concerns about irregular migration have also intensified, becoming a significant issue for US voters. President Biden has been vocal in his criticism of anti-immigrant rhetoric and has actively pursued alliances with countries such as Japan and India as part of broader efforts to counter global influences from nations like China and Russia.