Why Did Elon Musk Meet With India’s Modi During His U.S. Visit?/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Elon Musk during his U.S. visit with President Donald Trump. While the exact details of their discussion remain unclear, Modi stated that they spoke about space, technology, mobility, and innovation. Musk, now head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has long sought to expand Tesla and Starlink into India, but regulatory hurdles and local competition have delayed his plans. India’s satellite broadband and electric vehicle sectors present massive opportunities, but challenges remain.
Musk-Modi Meeting: Quick Look
- Meeting Context: Modi met Musk during his U.S. visit to Trump.
- Topics Discussed: Innovation, AI, space exploration, and sustainable development.
- Musk’s Interests in India: Starlink satellite internet and Tesla expansion.
- Regulatory Challenges: India’s telecom & auto policies have slowed Musk’s entry.
- India’s Market Potential: 1.4 billion people, rising demand for EVs and broadband.
Why Did Elon Musk Meet With India’s Modi During His U.S. Visit?
Deep Look: What Musk Wants from India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with billionaire Elon Musk in the U.S. on Thursday, a meeting that sparked speculation about Musk’s business ambitions in India.
“We discussed various issues, including those he is passionate about—space, mobility, technology, and innovation,” Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The meeting’s details remain undisclosed, but it is widely believed that Musk wants to expand his business empire into India, focusing on:
- Launching Starlink in India (satellite internet).
- Bringing Tesla to the Indian auto market.
- Collaborating on AI, space, and technology.
Trump: “Not Sure Why They Met”
During a joint press conference with Modi, Trump was asked about Musk’s meeting with the Indian leader.
“I would imagine he met, possibly, because, you know, he’s running a company,” Trump said.
While the White House downplayed the meeting, India’s foreign ministry later confirmed that strengthening Indo-U.S. tech collaboration was discussed.
Musk’s Starlink Internet Ambitions in India
Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet service, has been eyeing India for years but faces regulatory and competitive hurdles:
- India’s telecom ministry has delayed approval, citing security concerns.
- Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, a dominant telecom giant, opposes Starlink’s entry.
- India recently changed its satellite spectrum policy, making Starlink’s path slightly easier.
Why India is crucial for Starlink:
- 40% of India’s 1.4 billion people lack internet access.
- Rural & mountainous regions need low-cost satellite broadband.
- India’s mobile data is among the world’s cheapest, making Starlink’s high prices a concern.
Tesla’s Struggle to Enter India
Tesla has long wanted to enter India’s automobile market, but high import duties and an underdeveloped EV infrastructure have stalled progress.
- India charges high import taxes on electric vehicles, making Tesla cars too expensive.
- EVs currently make up just 2% of India’s car sales, but the government wants to raise that to 30% by 2030.
- New government incentives offer reduced tariffs for foreign EV makers who commit to local manufacturing—a potential game-changer for Tesla.
Musk previously stated: “Tesla will be in India as soon as humanly possible.”
India’s Growing Space & AI Market
India’s space and AI sectors are booming, and Musk’s companies—SpaceX and xAI—could find valuable partnerships.
- India’s space agency ISRO has ambitious exploration goals, including moon and Mars missions.
- AI and automation are key focus areas for both Modi and Musk.
- Musk may seek collaborations with Indian AI startups and researchers.
What’s Next?
- Will India grant Starlink regulatory approval?
- Will Tesla take advantage of India’s new EV incentives?
- Will Musk’s companies collaborate with India on AI or space exploration?
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