Elon Musk to Visit India Later This Year as Tesla Gears Up for Market Entry, Lauds PM Modi
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that he will visit India later this year, as his electric vehicle (EV) giant prepares for a long-anticipated debut in the Indian market. The announcement comes just a day after a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which the two leaders discussed opportunities for collaboration in technology and innovation.
Taking to social media platform X, Musk described the interaction as an “honour,” further signalling the growing importance of India in Tesla’s global roadmap. The conversation also comes at a pivotal moment in India-US trade relations, as both countries work to resolve long-standing differences on import tariffs and move towards a comprehensive trade agreement.
Strengthening Tech and Trade Ties
In his own post on X, PM Modi shared that the conversation covered a range of topics, including those previously discussed during his visit to Washington DC earlier this year. “Spoke to Elon Musk and talked about various issues, including the topics we covered during our meeting in Washington DC. We discussed the immense potential for collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation. India remains committed to advancing our partnerships with the US in these domains,” the Prime Minister wrote.
The timing of the exchange is significant. It follows closely on the heels of US Vice President JD Vance’s scheduled visit to India from April 21 to 24, and reflects sustained diplomatic momentum to deepen bilateral ties in strategic sectors such as clean energy, electric mobility, and advanced manufacturing.
Tesla’s India Plans Take Shape
Musk’s announcement coincides with growing anticipation around Tesla’s market entry into India, a move that has been years in the making. According to sources cited by Bloomberg, Tesla is preparing to ship a few thousand vehicles to a port near Mumbai in the coming months. The company plans to begin sales in key urban centres such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore by the third quarter of 2025.
Reports also indicate that Tesla has begun hiring for roles related to showrooms and delivery operations, suggesting that groundwork is already underway for the official launch. The vehicles are expected to be initially imported, though talks on local assembly and manufacturing have been ongoing between Tesla and Indian officials.
A Symbolic Gift & Strengthening Ties
This week’s phone call builds upon a growing rapport between Musk and Modi. During the PM’s visit to the United States in February, he met with the Tesla CEO in person. Musk was accompanied by three of his children — X, Strider, and Azure — and reportedly gifted the Prime Minister a Starship hexagonal heatshield tile, a component used on SpaceX’s interplanetary rockets.
With India accelerating its push toward electric mobility and clean energy, Tesla’s arrival could serve as a major catalyst for the domestic EV industry. Musk’s upcoming visit, coupled with diplomatic efforts on both sides, marks a critical turning point in the evolving economic and technological partnership between New Delhi and Washington.
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