Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a telephonic conversation with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Friday, discussing a broad spectrum of topics, particularly the promising avenues for collaboration in technology and innovation.
“Spoke to Elon Musk and exchanged thoughts on various matters, including follow-ups from our Washington DC meeting earlier this year. We explored the vast opportunities for partnership in emerging tech and innovation. India remains firmly committed to deepening our strategic ties with the United States in these domains,” the Prime Minister shared on X.
Earlier, during his official visit to Washington in February, PM Modi had met Musk in person. Reflecting on that interaction, he had said, “Had an excellent meeting with Elon Musk in Washington DC. We spoke on several key themes he is deeply invested in, such as space exploration, clean mobility, advanced tech, and innovation. I also highlighted India’s reform initiatives and our drive towards ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.’”
The Prime Minister also posted candid snapshots with Musk’s children, noting, “It was a pleasure meeting Mr. Elon Musk’s family and exchanging thoughts on a wide range of topics!”
This recent dialogue coincides with Tesla’s anticipated foray into the Indian market and ongoing discussions on a potential bilateral trade deal between India and the United States.
Adding momentum to this development, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with senior executives from Musk’s Starlink in Delhi on Wednesday to review the company’s investment strategies in India.
“Interacted with a Starlink delegation, including Vice President Chad Gibbs and Senior Director Ryan Goodnight. Our conversation revolved around Starlink’s pioneering tech platform, current alliances, and long-term investment blueprint for India,” Goyal posted on X.
This meeting comes amid increasing interest from Indian telecom giants such as Airtel and Vodafone Idea, who are reportedly exploring partnerships with U.S. firms to roll out satellite-based communication services in India.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has underlined the importance of satellite internet in bridging digital gaps, especially in India’s remote and underserved regions. He emphasized that satellite connectivity is not a rival to traditional networks but a complementary solution to ensure universal digital access.
Scindia also highlighted the critical role satellite services can play during natural calamities when conventional telecom infrastructure may be disrupted.
Starlink, a satellite internet initiative by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is still awaiting regulatory clearance to launch operations in India, pending finalization of the government’s spectrum pricing policy. The Telecom Minister confirmed that any company meeting Indian regulatory norms is eligible to apply for a license.
Starlink, backed by SpaceX—famous for its landmark civilian and astronaut space missions—aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet across the globe, including in regions with limited terrestrial connectivity.
© Copyright 2020, All Rights Reserved
Powered by Basharat Hosein
