“EAM Jaishankar Rebuts Biden’s Alleged ‘Xenophobic’ Remark on India: ‘We are Most Open'”

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According to S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, India is among the world’s most understanding, pluralistic, and open countries.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar.
                                External affairs minister S Jaishankar.

 

Speaking to an Asian-American crowd on Wednesday at a campaign dinner, Biden attempted to draw a connection between the economic problems facing Japan and India and a “xenophobic” mindset that excluded immigration. Additionally, he had shocked everyone by associating Russia and China with Japan and India, two of the US’s most important allies.

In response to a question concerning Biden’s statements made during a meeting in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, Jaishankar described India as the “most open society” on the planet.

“I have never seen a culture as diverse, open, and multicultural as ours up until now. Speaking in both Hindi and English, he said, “So, I would say that we are actually not just not xenophobic, but we are the most open, most pluralistic, and in many ways, the most understanding society in the world.”

Second, the topic of economic performance was briefly discussed. Our GDP, or gross domestic product, is 7%, as you are aware. You can get the solution by examining the GDP and growth rate of other people, the speaker continued.

Biden had stated that the US welcomes immigration and that the goal of the upcoming presidential election in November is “freedom, America, and democracy.” He went on, “Consider it.” Why is China’s economy stalling out so badly? Why is everything in Japan going wrong? Why does Russia exist? For what reason is India? due to their xenophobia. They oppose immigration.

Along with discussing terrorism originating from Pakistan and India’s tense relations with China due to a nearly four-year military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Jaishankar also answered questions regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

He mentioned West Asia, citing the region’s current state of conflict and tensions, which is home to almost nine million Indian people.

“On the orders of Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi, I called the foreign ministers of the two nations and told them that the world doesn’t want you to take this any further and that they should reduce the tensions in a responsible manner when tensions in the diplomatic arena increased and two sides attacked each other. And that’s what transpired after that,” he continued, alluding to his phone conversations with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts shortly after Tehran had responded to an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria by launching hundreds of drones and missiles.

He declared that when it comes to fighting Pakistani cross-border terrorism and the Chinese military build-up along the Line of Actual Control, the Modi administration would not back down.

“The Modi administration will never waver when it comes to national security. It may come from China exerting pressure on the border, from Pakistan engaging in cross-border terrorism, from the Myanmar border in the past, or even from Bangladesh prior to the Land Boundary Agreement. However, we are quite clear. For us, security comes first, then Bharat. “Compromise is nonexistent,” he declared.

Prior to the Modi government taking office, India has been “tolerating” cross-border terrorism, which Pakistan has a history of supporting. “We were showing kindness to one another. We weren’t playing. Everything changed with the arrival of Modiji. You observed Balakot and Uri. Thus, we have made it abundantly evident today that India will take appropriate action in response to any threat of…cross-border terrorism that originates in Pakistan,” he stated.

China has “brought a lot of troops to the Line of Actual Control” in the last four years, according to Jaishankar, in an effort to exert pressure on India. “We have resisted it with great force. Thousands of Indian Army soldiers are currently stationed in the Laos alongside Chinese forces. We make it extremely evident that we are there, powerful, and ready to go. Naturally, our armed forces will be the best arbiters of any action we must take in light of the situation,” he stated.

He was also questioned over the recent banknotes that Nepal released, which showed parts of India—Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh—as belonging to Nepal. India has a very clear stance on this issue, Jaishankar retorted.

“With Nepal, we were using a recognized venue to have conversations about our boundary issues. They then unilaterally implemented some steps on their end during that time. However, he added, “They are not going to alter the reality on the ground or the situation between us by taking action on their end.

 

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