Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during his U.S. visit this week, with discussions expected to focus on Starlink’s long-awaited entry into India. According to sources cited by Reuters, Modi’s government is keen on resolving regulatory hurdles and expediting Starlink’s approval process.
India has supported Musk’s view that satellite spectrum should be assigned rather than auctioned, but Starlink’s application is still under review. Musk is reportedly open to addressing India’s security concerns, including ensuring local data storage.
While it’s unclear if Tesla’s India plans will be discussed, talks may cover expanding India’s role in the electric vehicle supply chain. Musk has previously criticized India’s high import duties on electric cars, but no solid plans for local manufacturing have emerged yet.
During his two-day visit, Modi will also meet U.S. President Donald Trump, with trade and tariff negotiations expected to be key topics. However, apart from Musk, Modi is unlikely to hold meetings with other business leaders.