Kumar Bahukhandi
Elon Musk, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(Image credit:X)
Musk had been scheduled to visit India in 2023 but cancelled at the last minute, citing urgent issues at Tesla.
New Delhi:Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Saturday on April 19 , 2024 he plans to visit India later this year, following a discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting renewed momentum for the electric vehicle maker’s long-awaited entry into the country. Musk announced his travel intentions in a post on his social‑media platform X.
Musk had been scheduled to visit India in 2023 but cancelled at the last minute, citing urgent issues at Tesla. A return trip now comes at a critical juncture: Tesla faces intensifying competition worldwide, losing market share to aggressively priced rivals such as China’s BYD Co., while its brand has become more polarising amid Musk’s public support for former US President Donald Trump.
The company has also been affected by a growing tariff dispute in China, which led it to halt orders for its Model S sedans and Model X SUVs — both imported from the United States. With global markets under pressure, India — with its expanding middle class and government incentives for clean mobility — has emerged as a top priority for Tesla’s growth.
However, efforts to launch in India have stalled repeatedly over disagreements on import duties and mandatory local-manufacturing requirements. Musk’s visit could help bridge those gaps, especially as New Delhi seeks to attract foreign investment in its nascent EV sector.
Meanwhile, Musk’s other ventures are gaining ground in India. His satellite-broadband company Starlink recently struck partnership deals with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, aiming to extend internet access to underserved rural areas in support of the government’s digital-inclusion goals.
Yet Musk’s ties with Indian authorities remain complex. His social‑media firm X (formerly Twitter) is engaged in an ongoing dispute with New Delhi over content‑moderation rules, underscoring the regulatory challenges he faces even as he pursues new opportunities in the world’s second-largest internet market.
