CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, has expressed his commitment to bringing the electric carmaker to India “as soon as humanly possible.”
Musk’s statement comes following his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a state visit to the United States.
The Indian government extended an invitation to Musk to explore investment opportunities in electric mobility and the commercial space sector.
In response, Musk conveyed his eagerness to enter the Indian market, stating that he is currently determining the optimal timing for Tesla’s entry.
The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Musk took place shortly after Twitter co-founder, Jack Dorsey, accused India of threatening to shut down the platform for non-compliance with content removal orders.
The Indian government vehemently denied Dorsey’s claims, dismissing them as baseless.
Musk, who also owns Twitter, addressed the episode, highlighting the importance of complying with local laws.
He stated that Twitter has no choice but to adhere to the directives of local governments, emphasizing the need for companies to operate within legal boundaries to avoid being shut down.
Musk assured the public that Tesla would strive to provide the maximum freedom of speech allowed under the law.
Expressing his admiration for Prime Minister Modi, Musk described India as a country with immense potential.
He commended Modi’s efforts to encourage significant investments in India and expressed Tesla’s intention to contribute to the country’s growth.
While the exact timing is being determined, Musk confidently affirmed that Tesla would establish a presence in India as soon as possible.
Tesla has been engaging in discussions with Indian officials as it explores opportunities in the domestic market.
Reports from last month indicated that the company proposed setting up a manufacturing facility for electric vehicles and exploring the production of EV batteries in India.
The Indian government has been actively encouraging Tesla’s investment, recognizing its potential as a production and innovation hub.
During his interaction with reporters, Musk also expressed his hopes of introducing Starlink satellite internet service, operated by SpaceX, in India.
He noted that significant investments could be expected in the relationship between Tesla and India, emphasizing the positive trajectory of their partnership.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States marks a crucial milestone in bilateral relations between India and the US.
As part of the visit, he is scheduled to have direct talks with President Joe Biden following a ceremonial welcome at the White House.
Ahead of the meeting, over 70 US lawmakers wrote to President Biden, urging him to address human rights concerns with Prime Minister Modi.