Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
On April 17, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Elon Musk spoke by phone to continue their ongoing dialogue on innovation, business, and geopolitics. This latest round of Modi and Elon Musk tech talks builds on their February meeting in Washington, D.C., and signals deeper collaboration between the U.S. and India in key tech sectors.
Takeaway: India and Musk are aligning around shared tech goals — but progress depends on breaking through legal, regulatory, and market barriers.
Starlink Aims for Lift-Off in India
Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is inching closer to launching in India.
- In March 2025, it signed deals with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to expand rural broadband access.
- The service is still awaiting government approval, delayed by years of regulatory and security concerns.
- India’s telecom ministry supports a spectrum allocation model rather than auctioning, aligning with Musk’s ask — but high pricing may hurt adoption in a low-cost data market.
Takeaway: Starlink needs speed, scale, and smarter pricing to succeed in India’s hyper-competitive internet landscape.
Tesla Prepares for EV Entry
Tesla is making real moves after years of speculation.
- In early 2025, Tesla began hiring in Delhi and Mumbai.
- A Mumbai showroom lease is locked in, signaling serious intent.
- Long-term plans may include a manufacturing base, but India’s steep import duties (up to 110%) and low EV penetration (just 2% in 2024) remain barriers.
Takeaway: Tesla’s entry into India looks inevitable — but meaningful scale may take years.
Tech Talks Amid Trade Tensions
The Modi and Elon Musk tech talks come at a critical moment in U.S.-India trade relations.
- President Trump’s 27% tariffs on Indian goods (paused for 90 days) have strained ties.
- India is pushing for a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S.
- Musk has advocated for lower trade barriers, especially around clean energy and advanced tech.
Takeaway: Modi is using high-profile tech diplomacy to push trade negotiations forward.
Shared Vision: AI, Space, and Startups
Modi and Musk also aligned on:
- AI development, sustainability, and building a resilient tech workforce.
- Space collaboration, with SpaceX supporting astronaut training for India’s Gaganyaan mission.
- Support for India’s startup ecosystem, which Modi called a “global force in the making.”
Takeaway: The two leaders see innovation as a bridge between geopolitics and growth.
Legal Fights in the Background
Musk’s India plans face political friction.
- His company X (formerly Twitter) is suing India over government censorship via the “Sahyog” content-blocking portal.
- X’s chatbot, Grok, drew heat for politically sensitive responses, triggering local scrutiny.
- These issues could impact regulatory approvals for both Starlink and Tesla.
Takeaway: Business expansion may depend more on diplomacy than engineering.
A Track Record of High-Profile Engagements
This isn’t their first collaboration.
- In June 2023, Musk called himself a “fan of Modi” after meeting in New York.
- A 2024 India visit by Musk was postponed, delaying a rumored $2–3 billion investment.
- In January 2025, Musk hosted Indian executives at SpaceX’s Starbase, underscoring ongoing interest in India’s tech future.
Takeaway: The relationship has been building for years — and it’s nearing an inflection point.
India, Musk, and the $500B Trade Goal
India and the U.S. aim to grow bilateral trade from $200B to $500B by 2030. Technology — from EVs to AI to broadband — is expected to drive much of that growth.
The Modi and Elon Musk tech talks reflect a broader strategy: using business and innovation to secure global influence, economic scale, and mutual leverage.
Takeaway: Tech isn’t just about gadgets — it’s a tool of diplomacy, trade, and long-term power.
