SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Elon Musk is setting his sights on India once again, announcing plans to visit the country later this year in what could mark a pivotal moment for both Tesla and his sprawling business empire. The move comes nearly a year after Musk abruptly postponed a much-anticipated trip, citing pressing matters at Tesla — a cancellation that was widely viewed as a setback for India’s ambitions to court global electric vehicle (EV) giants.
The billionaire flagged his new travel plans in a post on X, the social media platform he owns, on April 19. Musk’s visit, once realized, could reignite stalled talks over Tesla’s entry into the world’s most populous nation — a market rich with potential but mired in negotiation hurdles. India’s high import tariffs on foreign-made EVs have long been a sticking point, as has Musk’s reluctance to commit to local manufacturing, according to Bloomberg News.
Musk’s renewed focus on India arrives at a turbulent time for his business portfolio. Tesla, once a darling of climate-conscious consumers, faces slumping sales, rising competition, and the aftershocks of Musk’s increasingly public political leanings. His alignment with President Donald Trump — a known skeptic of electric vehicles — has alienated portions of Tesla’s early, eco-focused customer base, leaving the company more dependent on a conservative demographic traditionally less enthusiastic about EV adoption.
Compounding the pressure are geopolitical headwinds. U.S.-China tensions, particularly around tariffs, have bruised Tesla’s bottom line and prompted the company to widen its global footprint. For India, the timing could be ideal. The country’s burgeoning middle class, along with a government push for cleaner mobility options under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” campaign, makes it an attractive growth market for automakers eager to hedge against uncertainty in China and the United States.
But Tesla isn’t Musk’s only India play. His satellite internet venture, Starlink, has also begun staking its claim in the country’s digital future. Starlink recently inked deals with Indian telecom giants Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, aiming to deliver internet connectivity to remote and underserved areas in line with the Modi government’s digital inclusion goals.
At the same time, Musk’s ownership of X has placed him at the center of an escalating legal clash with the Indian government over content moderation. The platform is challenging government orders to remove certain posts and accounts, adding another layer of complexity to Musk’s India agenda.
For now, Musk’s upcoming trip is likely to generate headlines and high-level meetings. The stakes, however, are substantial. India offers Tesla a rare mix of market potential and policy momentum, but any breakthrough will hinge on Musk’s willingness to meet the Indian government halfway on tariffs and local investment.
