Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a three-day state visit to the United States. During the meeting, Musk expressed his admiration for Modi and expressed his intention to visit India next year.
Musk, who is yet to introduce his electric car company Tesla to India, acknowledged that the country offers great potential for investment in solar energy. He also mentioned the possibility of bringing Starlink internet to India.
Respect For PM Modi
“I have great respect for Prime Minister Modi. India presents excellent opportunities for solar energy investment. We are also exploring the idea of introducing Starlink internet services in India,” Musk shared with reporters.
Musk further expressed his excitement about India’s future, stating that he believes the country holds more promise than any other large nation in the world.
When asked about Tesla’s plans to enter the Indian market, Musk affirmed his confidence in bringing Tesla to India as soon as feasible.
“I am confident that Tesla will establish a presence in India at the earliest opportunity. I would like to express my gratitude to the Prime Minister for his support, and hopefully, we will be able to make an announcement in the near future,” Musk emphasized.
It is worth noting that Musk started following Prime Minister Modi on Twitter in April of this year.
Discussions For Launching Tesla
While discussions between Musk and India have been ongoing for several years, disagreements regarding local manufacturing and the country’s high import duties have created obstacles.
The Indian government has urged Tesla to increase local procurement and share detailed manufacturing plans, while Musk has called for lower taxes to enable the company to sell imported vehicles at a more affordable price in India’s price-conscious market.
Musk also commended Modi’s dedication to India, highlighting how the Prime Minister has encouraged significant investments in the country.
“We need to find the right timing. I had a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister, and I have a great deal of respect for him. He visited our factory a few years ago, so we have known each other for some time,” Musk expressed.
“PM Modi genuinely cares about India’s progress. Modi is open-minded and supportive of companies. Simultaneously, he ensures that India benefits from these endeavors,” Musk added.