PM Modi and Elon Musk Discuss India-US Tech Collaboration

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently engaged in a telephone conversation with Elon Musk, highlighting India’s growing interest in expanding its partnerships with the United States in the fields of technology and innovation. Modi shared details of the call on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying that the two revisited themes from their earlier meeting in Washington earlier this year.

The conversation is particularly significant as it comes at a time when India is actively pursuing a bilateral trade agreement with the US. This effort is seen as a strategic move to counterbalance the potential impact of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. In early April, Trump implemented a sweeping 27% tariff on Indian goods, only to pause the decision for 90 days shortly thereafter. The temporary halt has opened a window for both countries to work towards finalizing trade negotiations before any long-term measures are enforced.

“We discussed the immense potential for collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation,” Modi wrote on X. He reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the US in these critical sectors, signaling that technological diplomacy is becoming a core part of the two nations' evolving relationship.

Elon Musk, who is widely seen as having close ties to Donald Trump, has been increasingly involved in business activities in India. In addition to leading Tesla and SpaceX, Musk now also heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His business interests in India are expanding rapidly, particularly through Starlink—SpaceX’s satellite internet arm.

In March, Starlink inked agreements with two of India’s largest telecommunications firms to launch satellite-based internet services in the country. However, the service is still awaiting final approval from the Indian government. Musk's vision of bringing satellite internet to India would be a game-changer for rural and underserved areas, where broadband access remains limited.

Tesla is also inching closer to entering the Indian market. The company has reportedly started recruiting for several positions in Delhi and Mumbai and is searching for showroom locations in both cities. This marks a major shift in Tesla’s approach toward India, a country with a growing demand for electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions.

At the same time, Musk’s social media platform X is currently engaged in a legal battle with the Indian government. The platform is challenging certain content moderation rules, highlighting the tensions between global tech companies and India’s regulatory framework.

Adding further weight to this flurry of activity is the upcoming visit of US Vice-President JD Vance to India. Scheduled to begin on April 21, Vance’s four-day trip is expected to focus on economic, trade, and geopolitical issues. On the first day of his visit, he will meet with Modi to discuss the next steps in US-India relations. Accompanied by his wife Usha Vance, whose family has roots in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, the visit also carries a personal dimension.

The backdrop of this diplomatic and business engagement is an increasingly tense global economic environment. With the US-China trade war escalating, India is positioning itself as a viable and strategic alternative for American businesses and investments. The Modi government’s push for “Make in India” and digital transformation aligns closely with Musk’s interests in innovation, automation, and internet connectivity.

In summary, Modi’s conversation with Elon Musk reflects more than just a casual exchange between a political leader and a tech mogul. It underscores the deeper strategic alignment between India and the US in the spheres of technology, trade, and innovation. As both countries navigate a shifting global landscape, such high-level interactions signal a future where collaboration could drive significant change for both economies.