Elon Musk’s one-word take on Dalai Lama’s controversial immigration stance fuels online debate

A resurfaced 2019 interview of the Dalai Lama with BBC’s Rajini Vaidyanathan has ignited a fresh wave of discussion on immigration, especially after a one-word response from Elon Musk on social media.
The interview, where the Tibetan spiritual leader voiced his opposition to unchecked immigration, has captured the attention of netizens, particularly as debates surrounding immigration policies in the US gain momentum. Musk’s brief reaction, posted on X (formerly Twitter), has further fueled the ongoing discourse, which is already heightened by the appointment of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-origin tech executive, as White House AI advisor.
In the 2019 interview, Vaidyanathan, who is of Indian origin, asked the Dalai Lama if people from countries like Afghanistan or the Middle East should be allowed to settle in Europe. The Dalai Lama responded cautiously, suggesting immigration should be limited. “The whole Europe becoming a Muslim country? Impossible,” he said, further remarking that the same applied to African countries.

The Dalai Lama’s comments on immigration were framed in a broader context of cultural preservation. When pressed by Vaidyanathan about the integration of Asian immigrants into Europe, he expressed concerns about climate differences and

cultural assimilation

, suggesting that immigrants should remain in their native climates where life conditions are better.
A turning point in the interview came when Vaidyanathan pointed out that her own parents had moved from India to the UK. The Dalai Lama chuckled and responded, “If England, a small island, [is filled with] 90% Indians, then I don’t know,” reflecting his reluctance to embrace large-scale immigration.

Musk’s reaction to the resurfaced clip was succinct but impactful. The billionaire Tesla CEO tweeted “Interesting,” sparking a wave of comments supporting the Dalai Lama’s stance on immigration.
Many commenters on Musk's post expressed agreement with the Dalai Lama’s views, citing concerns over the effects of mass migration on national cultures. “Mass migration is fundamentally colonialism. Each country can only absorb so many people into it before you radically change it and even create a destabilizing power vacuum,” wrote one X user.
Others voiced approval of Musk’s endorsement, claiming that his platform has provided an avenue for discussing sensitive topics that would have previously been censored. “Thanks to Elon, we can finally have the discussions about important questions that would earn a ban in the past,” commented another user.
The Dalai Lama’s remarks and Musk’s brief reaction come at a time when immigration debates in the U.S. have intensified. Right-wing critics have raised alarms over Indian-origin Sriram Krishnan’s appointment and the potential expansion of H1B visa programs, which they argue may lead to job displacement for qualified American workers.
While the Dalai Lama has long maintained a position that supports regulated immigration, his views have sparked mixed reactions. Some argue that the integration of immigrants enriches societies, while others contend that unchecked migration can undermine cultural identity and strain national resources.