Elon Musk said that Indian talent has played a major role in making America a superpower. He also commented on the ongoing controversy surrounding H-1B visas. Let’s find out what Musk said in his podcast with Nikhil Kamath.
In Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, said something America probably never wanted to hear. Musk said that a large part of America’s progress is due to Indian talent and the benefits the country has received over the past several decades. The biggest contribution to this is the Indian minds who have gone there and strengthened the tech sector.
Citing examples of global leaders like Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai, Musk said that these are the people who managed the US economy even at a time when the country was undergoing major changes. Therefore, according to him, if the US adopts the wrong policy of restricting immigration, it will destroy its own greatest strength.
Musk also spoke openly about the H-1B visa.
This statement comes at a time when a major political controversy is raging in the US regarding H-1B rules. Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has even introduced a bill to abolish it. This directly signals a danger to Indian professionals, as the H-1B visa is the key to obtaining a green card and, ultimately, US citizenship.
Elon Musk warned that while the H-1B has been misused in many places and the system needs reform, discontinuing it would mean stalling America’s innovation machine. He believes that top talent is always in short supply, and many US industries rely on such minds.
What did Musk say on border control and immigration ?
In the interview, Musk also spoke openly about US border policy. He stated that border control had virtually disappeared during the Biden administration, leading to an increase in illegal immigration. According to Musk, when a country’s borders are weakened, the wrong kind of people enter the system, creating a negative selection effect. However, he also clarified that high-skilled talent like Indians should be treated differently, as these people come to contribute to America, not to exploit it.
Citing the examples of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, Musk stated that his own companies—SpaceX, Tesla, and X—never pursue cheap employees. They always seek out the best minds and pay them well above average salaries. He stated that some outsourcing companies have turned the H-1B program into a cost-cutting tool, tarnishing its image. However, discontinuing the entire program is in no way justified. Finally, he reiterated that the US has benefited more from Indian talent than from any other country. Therefore, immigration reform is necessary, but stopping immigration would be disastrous.
