Elon Musk announces 48hr visit to India that includes meeting with PM Modi

Elon Musk, through a post on X, has confirmed his upcoming visit to India on April 21 and 22, during which he is slated to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During this visit, Musk is expected to make several significant announcements, including the launch of the Starlink service and investment plans ranging from $2 billion to $3 billion in the country. Scheduled alongside these high-profile meetings are discussions with other key government figures, including Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

The preparations for Musk's visit are in full swing, with invitations likely to be dispatched by the Prime Minister's Office next week to potential attendees. Among those invited may be representatives from both governmental bodies and industry stakeholders eager to engage with the Tesla CEO.

Musk and Modi's upcoming meeting follows a previous encounter during the Indian prime minister's visit to the US in June last year. Since then, Musk has been actively advocating for a reduction in import duties on electric vehicles to pave the way for Tesla's entry into the Indian market.

To Musk’s delight, the Indian government recently introduced a new EV policy, significantly lowering import taxes on certain models from 100% to 15%. The tax break was accompanied by some conditions including a commitment from the EV manufacturer to invest $500 million or more and establish a local factory.

While Tesla has been contemplating the establishment of an EV plant in India, a final decision is yet to be reached. Speculations suggest Tamil Nadu could emerge as a potential manufacturing hub.