Elon Musk reacts to old interview of Dalai Lama with Indian-origin journalist amid immigration debate

An old interview of the Dalai Lama with Indian-origin BBC reporter Rajini Vaidyanathan from 2019 has resurfaced on social media, reigniting debates around immigration policies. The video, in which the Tibetan spiritual leader voiced his concerns about unchecked immigration, caught the attention of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who reacted with a one-word comment: “Interesting.”

The interview saw Vaidyanathan pressing the Dalai Lama on his views about Asians, Africans, and Middle Eastern immigrants settling in Europe. When asked if people from regions such as Afghanistan or the Middle East should be allowed to stay in Europe, the Dalai Lama said, “In limited number, okay. The whole Europe becoming a Muslim country? Impossible. Or African country—also impossible.”

He elaborated that people were better suited to their own regions due to climate and cultural compatibility, adding, “They themselves are better to their own land, climatically. Much better, you’re too cold.”

Vaidyanathan continued to question the Dalai Lama, citing her own parents’ migration from India to the UK and asking if it was acceptable for Indians or others to make Europe their home. The Dalai Lama responded with a chuckle, saying, “If England, a small island, [is filled with] 90% Indians, then I don’t know.”

The resurfaced clip has sparked fresh discussions, particularly amidst debates over immigration policies in the United States, including the speculation around Indian-origin Sriram Krishnan’s potential influence on H1B visa regulations as a White House AI advisor.