US-based tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is a close friend of US President Donald Trump, has spoken about his plans to visit India. While discussing his telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, he expressed that he was eager to visit India later this year.
Reply by Elon Musk on X
“It was an honour to speak with PM Modi. I am looking forward to visiting India later this year,” said Musk on X, a day after holding talks about India-US collaborations with the Prime Minister.
PM Modi stated yesterday that the two discussed a range of issues over their phone call. These included issues that were on their agenda when PM Modi traveled to Washington earlier this year, such as space, mobility, and technology.
“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 had said.
It was an honor to speak with PM Modi.
I am looking forward to visiting India later this year! https://t.co/TYUp6w5Gys
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 19, 2025
Postponed Visits and Previous Plans
Elon Musk had also planned to come to India. One such plan last year was aborted because of “very heavy Tesla obligations”. Postponing his trip, the richest man on the planet had promised that he would come to India later in 2024. That plan did not materialize either.
The Elon Musk-PM Modi call gains importance as it happens at a time when US and China are locked in an intense trade war, with both leaders on the two sides, Trump and Xi Jinping, being belligerent and unbending. Hit the hardest by Trump’s tariffs, China has been attempting to woo India.
Tesla and Starlink’s India Push
Apart from the US economy, Musk has some business interests in India as well. These include Tesla’s entry into Indian markets and the functioning of satellite internet-based Starlink. India and the US are currently working on a bilateral trade agreement that would be mutually beneficial to both sides, one that Tesla is also hoping to benefit from. Improved tariffing also stands to help the electric cars fare any better in a competitive market such as India’s.
Tesla has already begun expanding in India, searching for sites and staff. It has apparently leased a 4,000 sq ft facility at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai that’s accompanied by some parking spaces. Tesla has reportedly chosen some more space in Delhi and Mumbai, according to reports.
