Elon Musk after Tesla India launch

Elon Musk to visit India this year as Tesla readies debut, praises PM Modi

The Prime Minister’s conversation with Elon Musk comes at a crucial juncture for both nations, as New Delhi and Washington are trying to erase differences on tariffs and work on convergences towards a trade deal.

Elon Musk confirmed he would be visiting India later this year

A day after holding a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said he would be making his much-awaited visit to India later this year as Tesla readies to debut its fleet of electric vehicles in the Indian market. Furthermore, in a post on X, the man tasked with spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by President Donald Trump, said it was “an honour” to speak to PM Modi.

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The Prime Minister’s conversation with Elon Musk comes at a crucial juncture for both nations, as New Delhi and Washington are trying to erase differences on tariffs and work on convergences towards a trade deal.

In a post on X, PM Modi revealed he spoke to the tech billionaire and discussed the “immense potential” for collaboration in technology and innovation. The conversation also came on the heels of Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India from April 21 to April 24.

Sharing details of the interaction on X, PM Modi wrote, “Spoke to Elon Musk and talked about various issues, including the topics we covered during our meeting in Washington DC earlier this year. We discussed the immense potential for collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation. India remains committed to advancing our partnerships with the US in these domains.”

PM Modi met Elon Musk in February this year, during his two-day visit to the US. The SpaceX CEO was accompanied by his three children – X, Strider and Azure. During the meeting, Elon Musk gifted PM Modi a Starship hexagonal heatshield tile.

The PM’s telephonic conversation with Elon Musk comes amid reports that Tesla is preparing to enter the Indian market by shipping a few thousand cars to a port near Mumbai in the coming months. According to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter, the US electric vehicle giant is planning to begin sales in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore by the third quarter of this year.

Tesla’s anticipated debut in India also aligns with ongoing discussions between New Delhi and Washington over import tariffs, which are likely to shape the carmaker’s long-term strategy in the country. The move follows renewed momentum in Tesla’s India plans, sparked by PM Modi’s earlier in-person meeting with Musk in Washington. Since then, the company has reportedly begun hiring for roles related to showrooms and deliveries.