Biden calls Quad partners Japan, India ‘xenophobic’, unwelcoming to immigrants, comparing them with rivals China, Russia

The US president lumped the two nations with adversaries China and Russia, as he tried to explain their economic circumstances contrasted with the US on immigration

Japan is a critical US ally, while India, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, is a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific despite differences on human rights

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President Joe Biden has called Japan and India “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants. Photo: AP

Published: 12:00am, 3 May 2024Updated: 1:14am, 3 May 2024

President Joe Biden has called Japan and India “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants, lumping the two with adversaries China and Russia as he tried to explain their economic circumstances and contrasted the four with the US on immigration.

The remarks, at a campaign fundraising event on Wednesday evening, came just three weeks after the White House hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a lavish official visit, during which the two leaders celebrated what Biden called an “unbreakable alliance”, particularly on global security matters.

The White House welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit last summer.

Japan is a critical US ally. And India, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, is a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific despite differences on human rights.

India and Japan are also part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad, a strategic security dialogue that includes Australia and the US.