Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a telephonic conversation with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on a range of topics, including the immense potential for collaboration in technology and innovation.
“Spoke to Elon Musk and talked about various issues, including the topics we covered during our meeting in Washington DC earlier this year. 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,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister had previously met Musk during his visit to Washington in February this year.
“Had a very good meeting with Elon Musk in Washington DC. We discussed various issues, including those he is passionate about such as space, mobility, technology, and innovation. I talked about India’s efforts towards reform and furthering ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance,’” PM Modi had said on X after that meeting.
In another post, the Prime Minister shared candid moments with Musk’s children, captioning it, “It was also a delight to meet Mr. Elon Musk’s family and to talk about a wide range of subjects!”
PM Modi’s latest conversation with Musk comes at a time when Tesla is reportedly poised to enter the Indian market. The development also coincides with ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between India and the US.
On Wednesday, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also met with top executives from Elon Musk’s Starlink in Delhi to discuss the company’s investment plans in India.
“Met a delegation from Starlink, comprising Vice President Chad Gibbs and Senior Director Ryan Goodnight. Discussions covered Starlink’s cutting-edge technology platform, their existing partnerships, and future investment plans in India,” Goyal said on X.
This meeting comes amid reports that domestic telecom majors such as Airtel are in discussions with US companies for the possible launch of satellite telecom services in India. Vodafone Idea has also indicated that it is in talks with Starlink to provide satellite communication services in the country.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has emphasized the need for satellite internet in India, particularly in rural and remote areas.
He noted that many corners of the country are difficult to reach with fiber or mobile connectivity, and satellite internet could help ensure 100 percent coverage. Stressing that these services are complementary—not competitive—Scindia reiterated India’s commitment to offering terrestrial, fiber, and satellite communication to consumers.
He also pointed out that satellite communication can play a crucial role in emergencies when natural disasters damage telecom towers and fiber networks.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is still awaiting a regulatory license to begin operations in India, pending the government’s new rules on spectrum pricing.
Scindia has stated that any company can apply for a license, provided it complies with Indian regulations.
Starlink is a satellite internet service that aims to deliver high-speed connectivity worldwide. SpaceX, the parent company, is the first private firm to have delivered astronauts to and from the International Space Station and has also completed an all-civilian mission to orbit.
IANS