Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke with tech billionaire Elon Musk on Friday to discuss India’s growing potential for collaboration with the United States in “technology and innovation,” a conversation that comes at a pivotal moment in US-India trade relations.
In a post shared on X, Modi said he and Musk revisited topics from their earlier meeting in Washington, highlighting their shared interest in deepening ties in the innovation sector. “We discussed the immense potential for collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation,” Modi wrote.
“India remains committed to advancing our partnerships with the US in these domains.”
The conversation is seen as strategically timed, coming just days before US Vice-President JD Vance arrives in India for a four-day official visit. Vance, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, is scheduled to meet Modi on April 21 to discuss economic and geopolitical partnerships. He will be accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, whose family has roots in India’s Andhra Pradesh state, and their children.
India is currently working to secure a bilateral trade agreement with the US in part to shield itself from the potential economic impact of Trump’s recently announced 27% tariffs on Indian goods. Although Trump has since paused the tariffs for 90 days, Delhi and Washington are racing to conclude trade negotiations before the window closes.
Elon Musk, who leads Tesla and SpaceX and is also the head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has long expressed interest in entering the Indian market. In March, Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink signed agreements with two of India’s largest telecom firms. Starlink is currently awaiting final regulatory approval to begin operations.
Tesla is also laying the groundwork for its long-anticipated Indian debut. The electric carmaker has begun hiring for positions in Delhi and Mumbai and is reportedly scouting locations for showrooms in both cities.
Modi’s outreach to Musk reflects India’s broader strategy of leveraging high-tech partnerships to boost domestic innovation and assert its role as a global player in emerging industries.
The upcoming visit by Vice-President Vance is expected to reinforce those ambitions, as both nations seek to counterbalance China’s influence and recalibrate global trade alliances.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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