Days before he comes calling on India and PM Narendra Modi, Elon Musk’s satcom venture Starlink has been given an in-principle approval from the telecom ministry. The file now lies at the desk of communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is waiting for final vetting by the home ministry over certain security matters.
PM Modi said investment from across the globe is welcome but should generate employment for Indians. “I want investment to come in India and it doesn’t matter who has invested money, (but) the sweat put into the work must be of our own people. The product should have the essence of our soil, so that our youth will get employment opportunities,” Modi said while responding to a question on Tesla and Starlink’s possible entry.
He also said India is moving rapidly on electric vehicles (EVs) and sought investment from companies. “We have told the world that India is moving very fast on electric vehicles. If you want to do manufacturing, you should come.” Modi had met Musk in the US last year, and the PM recalled visiting the Tesla factory in 2015.
On being asked about Musk telling Modi that he is a fan of the Indian PM, Modi said, “Look, the first thing saying that Musk is supporter of Modi is one thing, basically, he is a supporter of India. And I just met him. I went to see his factory in 2015. He showed me everything in his factory and I understood his vision. I went there just now (to the US in 2023) and met him again. And now he is about to come to India.”
Musk is expected in India later this month for another meeting with Modi and is widely expected to unveil Tesla’s production strategy after govt’s decision to lower the import duty on electric cars.
