Elon Musk announced on Saturday that he plans to visit India later this year, just a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed they had discussed technology during a recent conversation.
Replying to a post on X by the Indian Prime Minister, Musk wrote: “It was an honor to speak with PM Modi. I am looking forward to visiting India later this year!”
Modi said he had discussed collaboration in technology and innovation in a message on X on Friday, without saying when the discussions took place.
“Spoke to @elonmusk 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,” Modi’s post, published on April 18, read.
February Meeting
Prime Minister Modi had met Musk in Washington DC during his state visit to the US in February this year.
Following their meeting, Modi had tweeted: “Had a very good meeting with @elonmusk 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’.”
The Indian PM also posted pictures of candid moments he spent with Musk’s family during the trip.
Prime Minister Modi’s conversation with Musk comes at a time when Tesla is reportedly preparing to enter the Indian market. This development also coincides with ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between New Delhi and Washington, DC.
Starlink’s Growing Prominence
Earlier this week, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with senior executives from Musk’s satellite Internet venture, Starlink, in New Delhi to discuss the company’s potential investment plans in India.
“Met a delegation from @Starlink, comprising of Vice President Chad Gibbs & Senior Director, Ryan Goodnight. Discussions covered Starlink’s cutting-edge technology platform, their existing partnerships & future investment plans in India,” Goyal tweeted following the meeting.
The meeting also comes amid growing interest in satellite communication services in India. Domestic telecom giants like Airtel are reportedly in discussions with a U.S.-based company for the potential rollout of satellite telecom services. Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea has confirmed ongoing talks with Starlink to explore similar possibilities.
Satellite Internet
India’s Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has emphasized the importance of satellite Internet for India, particularly in rural and remote regions. He noted that in many parts of the country, traditional fiber or mobile connectivity is not feasible, making satellite technology crucial to achieving full coverage and bridging the digital divide.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized that satellite communication services are meant to complement and not compete with existing terrestrial and fiber networks. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to providing consumers with a diverse mix of connectivity solutions, including satellite, fiber, and terrestrial options.
Scindia also underscored the critical role satellite technology can play during emergencies, particularly when natural disasters damage telecom towers and fiber infrastructure. In such situations, satellite communications can serve as a vital backup to maintain connectivity.
Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is currently awaiting regulatory clearance to begin operations in India. The company is holding off until the government finalizes its policy on spectrum pricing.
Scindia noted that any company is welcome to apply for a license, provided it complies with India’s regulatory framework.
Starlink aims to deliver high-speed internet access across the globe, especially in underserved regions. Its parent company, SpaceX, made history as the first private firm to send astronauts to and from the International Space Station and has also conducted the first all-civilian orbital space mission.
(With inputs from Reuters)
