Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk at Blair House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday as part of his two-day visit to the United States. The meeting, which had been highly anticipated, took place in a warm and engaging setting, with Musk being accompanied by three of his children—X, Strider, and Azure. This personal aspect of the gathering added a unique dimension to the high-profile discussions between the two leaders.
Visuals from the meeting quickly surfaced online, showing an animated conversation between the Indian Prime Minister and the tech billionaire. The discussions were expected to cover a range of topics, including advancements in electric vehicles, India's renewable energy ambitions, the potential for Tesla’s entry into the Indian market, and the future of space exploration. Given Musk’s growing interest in expanding operations in India, the meeting was seen as a key step in strengthening ties between his enterprises—Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink—and the Indian market.
A major point of discussion, as reported by news agency Reuters, was Starlink’s pending licence approval in India. Starlink, Musk’s satellite-based internet service operated by SpaceX, has been seeking regulatory clearance to launch commercial operations in India. The Indian government has been reviewing the proposal amid concerns about national security, data privacy, and local regulatory compliance. Reports suggest that Musk has been keen on fast-tracking approvals to bring high-speed, satellite-based internet connectivity to India’s remote and underserved regions.
Elon Musk has previously expressed his admiration for India’s technological growth and has reiterated his desire to invest in the country’s EV and space sectors. Tesla has long been exploring the possibility of setting up a manufacturing plant in India, with the Indian government encouraging the company to invest in local production. PM Modi’s "Make in India" initiative has been a strong selling point for attracting Tesla’s investment, with discussions likely touching upon potential tax incentives, infrastructure support, and regulatory considerations.
This visit marks an important diplomatic moment as India and the US seek to strengthen bilateral trade and technological collaboration. PM Modi’s schedule in Washington includes a series of high-level meetings, including a bilateral discussion with US President Joe Biden at the White House. While the official agenda for the Modi-Biden talks remains undisclosed, key areas of focus are expected to include trade policies, defense cooperation, clean energy, and geopolitical concerns, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
The timing of Modi’s visit is significant, particularly against the backdrop of the US elections and Donald Trump’s recent rhetoric regarding trade policies. Trump, who is seeking re-election, has signaled a tough stance on international trade and has warned of potential tariffs on countries he claims are negatively impacting the US economy. India, alongside China and Brazil, has been mentioned in this context, raising questions about how these policies might affect India-US trade relations in the coming months.
Following his meeting with Musk, PM Modi is scheduled to meet Indian-American entrepreneur and politician Vivek Ramaswamy. The discussion is expected to revolve around the role of Indian-origin leaders in US politics, as well as economic and technological collaborations between the two countries. The Prime Minister’s visit is seen as an opportunity to reinforce India’s position as a global technology hub and a strategic partner of the US in key sectors such as defense, space, and artificial intelligence.
With multiple high-stakes discussions planned, Modi’s visit to Washington is being closely watched for its potential impact on India's economic and diplomatic relations with the US.
