That smile belongs to Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who seems poised to pursue entirely new areas of business in India. He focuses particularly on the intersection of technology and innovation. His visit comes amid an escalation of trade tensions between the US and China. On top of that, there’s a recent bilateral trade spat involving tariffs on Indian exports.
During his discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Musk highlighted the potential for collaboration between India and the United States. Modi indicated that there was great potential for moving partnerships forward in the area of technology.
“We discussed the immense potential for collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation.” – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Musk heads the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He is perhaps best known as a proud lap dog to former President Donald Trump. His visit comes at a critical time. This comes after Trump’s announcement to place a 27% tariff on Indian goods on April 2nd, which was subsequently suspended for a period of 90 days.
Musk’s other company, Tesla, is preparing to make its Indian debut. This leap of faith is an important piece in his bachelor’s towed plans to Shakespeare presence in India. The automaker has begun the hiring process for a dozen job roles based in Delhi and Mumbai. This action could very well presage a broader entry into the country’s burgeoning electric vehicle space.
In addition to his business interests, Musk will be accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and their children during the trip. Usha has strong family connections to India. Her parents were part of a wave of migration from the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to the United States.
The timing of Musk’s visit is significant as it aligns with US Vice-President JD Vance’s scheduled four-day trip to India. Vance’s meeting with Modi is scheduled for April 21. They will speak about economic relations, trade, and geopolitical ties between their countries.
Furthermore, Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has signed agreements with two major Indian telecom firms to provide satellite internet services in India. Despite this, Starlink is still waiting on government regulatory approval before launching its services in the country.
Consider that Musk is even now publicly courting Modi for collaboration. His economic agenda reflects a renewed focus on the nexus between the US and India, particularly with rising trade tensions with China. With the potential for significant advancements in technology and innovation, both leaders are optimistic about fostering a fruitful partnership moving forward.