Modi, Musk Explore Investment Opportunities in India's Energy, Space Sectors

During his official visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter and CEO of Tesla. Both expressed admiration for each other, discussing investment opportunities and future prospects in India.

Prime Minister Modi's meeting with Musk highlighted India's potential for investment and cooperation in sustainable energy and the space sector. Musk's enthusiasm for India's future and his commitment to making significant investments demonstrated the growing interest in India's technological advancements.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi tweeted, "Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality." In response, Musk replied, "It was an honor to meet again." The leaders discussed various topics and expressed their pleasure in reconnecting.

Push for Investment in India

Musk expressed his enthusiasm for India's future, stating, "India has more promise than any large country in the world." He conveyed his belief in the country's potential and shared his excitement about the possibilities ahead.

Musk revealed that Prime Minister Modi was actively encouraging Tesla to make a "significant investment" in India. Musk added, "The PM really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make a significant investment in India.” "I'm a fan of Modi," Musk told reporters after the meeting. Musk said he was excited about the future of India and it had more promise than any large country in the world. "The PM really cares about India because he is pursuing us to make a significant investment in India," he added. Elon Musk said India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was pushing the car maker to make a "significant investment" in the country, adding that such an announcement was expected soon.

Focus on Sustainable Energy & Space Sector

Recognizing India's potential for a sustainable energy future, Musk remarked, "India has strong potential for solar power, stationary battery packs, and electric vehicles." He also expressed his hope to introduce SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service in India, saying, "I hope we can bring Starlink to India as well."

During the visit, Tesla executives held discussions with Indian ministries and bureaucrats regarding the establishment of a manufacturing base for cars and batteries in India. Musk stated, "I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible." He also mentioned that Tesla would likely select a location for a new factory in India by the end of this year.

Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to Elon Musk, saying, "Explore opportunities in India for investments in electric mobility and rapidly expanding commercial space sector." The Indian government aims to increase the share of its private space companies in the global launch market five-fold within the next decade.

Twitter Controversy and Musk's Remarks

Tesla last year shelved its India entry plans due to high import tax structures, according to Reuters. Modi's meeting with Musk, who owns Twitter, came days after Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey accused India of threatening to shut down the platform for not complying with content takedown orders during a 2020-2021 protest. India called the allegation an "outright lie”. "Regarding the Twitter controversy surrounding Jack Dorsey's accusations against India, Musk clarified, "Twitter does not have a choice but to obey local governments. If we don't obey local government laws, we will get shut down.”

Musk revealed his plans to introduce Starlink Internet Services in India, stating, "The services can connect rural towns which either do not have connectivity or have expensive internet." This initiative aims to provide reliable and affordable internet access to underserved areas in the country.