PM Modi Speaks To Elon Musk Discuss Tech & Innovation Ahead of Tesla’s India Entry
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk on Friday, discussing ongoing and future collaboration in the fields of technology and innovation. The discussion comes amid growing speculation around Tesla’s planned foray into India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector.
The Prime Minister shared details of the call on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting continuity from their earlier meeting in Washington DC. “Spoke to Elon Musk and talked about various issues, including the topics we covered during our meeting in Washington DC earlier this year,” PM Modi wrote.
The interaction comes at a strategic moment, as Tesla reportedly prepares to set up manufacturing and assembly units in India. The Indian government has recently approved a new EV policy that offers incentives to companies establishing local production units — a move seen as paving the way for Tesla’s entry.
Musk has previously hinted at large-scale investments in India, noting the country’s importance as a future EV hub. In 2023, he had said that Tesla “will be in India as soon as humanly possible.”
The two leaders last met in February this year during PM Modi’s visit to the United States. During that meeting, Elon Musk gifted the Prime Minister a hexagonal heatshield tile from the SpaceX Starship — a symbol of innovation and space exploration. Musk was accompanied by his three children: X, Strider, and Azure.
Their discussions spanned India’s digital economy, AI, clean energy, and future tech ecosystems. Musk had expressed admiration for India’s tech progress, calling the country’s potential “extraordinary.”
India has set a target to achieve 30% electric vehicle penetration by 2030. With domestic players like Tata Motors and Ola Electric already making inroads, the potential entry of Tesla is expected to bolster the ecosystem with global expertise, advanced R&D, and manufacturing practices.
PM Modi’s push for technology-led development has centered on startup growth, AI integration, and global partnerships, with the US being a strategic tech ally.
While Tesla has yet to make a formal announcement, industry insiders suggest that a major deal could be unveiled in the coming months. India’s new EV policy offers import duty concessions for automakers that commit to local manufacturing — a framework that Tesla is reportedly reviewing.
Experts believe Tesla’s entry could not only catalyze India’s EV market but also strengthen its position as a manufacturing hub.
