I can't see anything racist about what Sririam has said. I thought a lot about it last night, re- reading.
It's natural to gravitate towards people who understand us and generally think like us. Not always to do with race (certainly in this country where many areas are cosmopolitan), but shared interests, like minds, human rights issues, the peace movement, causes, etc. That doesn't mean disliking or excluding anyone else. We can feel comfortable with, and enriched by, many people but there's usually a core group with whom we identify. In my case that is true and has nothing to do with race. I'm friendly with a lot of folk, at home and work, the people with whom I mix at work are diverse which is great; my closest friends are people who are on my wavelength (even we don't agree on everything, wouldn't it be boring if we did), our lifestyles are similar in some respects so we understand each other.
There are areas in this country where particular groups dominate the population. So what? I've not encountered hostility from any individuals, on the contrary they're usually hospitable.
I hope I'm making myself clear.
(Would you believe I've only just got up! Long time since I've had such a comfortable lay in - husband doing breakfast.)
Not sure about Walter, he is someone who often says things tongue in cheek :-).
Ippy has explained himself quite well. I do wonder how immigration has impacted on him personally (it hasn't affected me at all), and would be interested to know.