Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Friday reaffirmed mutual interest in strengthening collaboration between India and the United States in technology and innovation.
They also discussed other issues during a telephonic conversation. Modi said on the social media after speaking to Musk that they discussed various issues.
“Spoke to @elonmusk 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,” he said. The Prime Minister added “India remains committed to advancing our partnerships with the US in these domains”.
The talks took place at a time when Tesla is reportedly exploring opportunities to enter the Indian electric vehicle market. The latest discussions between Modi and Musk build upon their earlier meeting in Washington DC this year.
The conversation highlighted the growing synergy between India’s rapidly evolving tech ecosystem and Musk’s ventures in cutting-edge innovation. The Prime Minister met 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, Musk gifted Modi a Starship hexagonal heatshield tile.
The Prime Minister’s telephonic conversation with 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.
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 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.