New Delhi, April 19, 2025 – Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced plans to visit India later this year, following a Thursday teleconference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where they explored tech and innovation partnerships. Musk, calling Modi “inspirational,” shared his intent on X, as Starlink awaits India’s satellite internet license and Tesla gears up for a $2-3 billion factory in Maharashtra or Gujarat . The call, their fourth since 2015, builds on Modi’s February 2025 Washington meeting with Musk.
Modi pushed Tesla’s India entry, eyeing 5 lakh EVs annually, and Starlink’s 2025 trials to connect 1 crore rural homes—India’s 90 crore digital users are a goldmine. “We discussed AI, space, sustainability,” Modi tweeted, aligning with India’s $20 billion EV market. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) role under Trump, slashing 470K US federal cards, adds clout. X buzzes—“Musk’s India bet is huge!”—but some warn: “Infrastructure’s not ready” .
India’s 10% US tariff pause—unlike China’s 245%—gives Musk leverage, with $77.5 billion in exports at stake. Tesla’s Pune plant could dodge 100% import duties, while xAI’s Grok eyes India’s 5 lakh AI engineers. “It’s a tech revolution,” a Bengaluru startup founder told The Indian Express. Yet, 2024’s 15% EV adoption lag—versus China’s 40%—demands chargers and grids (IEA). For India’s 140 crore, it’s a game-changer—will Musk’s visit spark Viksit Bharat, or stall?
