Elon Musk says he is fan of PM Modi after meeting him, will bring Tesla and Starlink to India
Musk said PM Modi really wants to do the right thing for India. (Photo credit: @narendramodi)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Twitter CEO Elon Musk in New York on Tuesday (June 20). Following their meeting, Musk expressed his admiration for PM Modi's leadership and his enthusiasm for the future of India. At the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, Musk referred to himself as a "fan of Modi" and said that India holds more promise than any other large country in the world.
The Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to the United States. After meeting PM Modi, Musk expressed his desire to visit India and said he would be visiting the country next year.
#WATCH | Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, says "I'm incredibly excited about the future of India. India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (PM Modi) really cares about India as he's pushing us to make significant investments in India. I am a fan of Modi. It… pic.twitter.com/lfRNoUQy3R
— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023
"I can say he really wants to do the right thing for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies, obviously, but at the same time, make sure it accrues to India's advantage, which is obviously that's the job I'm saying. I am a fan of Modi," to ANI.
PM Modi tweeted about the meeting and said he had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality.
"Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality," he wrote on his Twitter handle.
Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023
Tesla's investment in India
In an exclusive interview with India Today', Elon Musk revealed that Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) giant, has plans to invest in India in the near future.
Musk further disclosed that he had previously requested additional incentives for investing in the country, highlighting his commitment to fostering open and supportive environments for new companies.
Starlink's potential arrival in India
During the meeting, Musk expressed his intention to bring Starlink, SpaceX's broadband internet service, to India. Recognizing the challenges faced by individuals residing in rural areas with limited internet access, Musk emphasized how Starlink could be instrumental in providing connectivity to those underserved regions.
This initiative could play a vital role in enhancing digital inclusivity and bridging the digital divide within India.
Elon Musk on Jack Dorsey's claims
When questioned about Twitter's compliance with the Indian government's regulations, Elon Musk affirmed that the social media platform must adhere to the laws of each country where it operates. Musk emphasized that failure to comply would result in the platform's shutdown, underscoring the necessity of respecting local governance.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Musk said even though Twitter had to comply with regulations imposed by the Indian government, it would always strive to ensure that users continue to have a platform where they can freely express their opinions.
To my ques on @jack's remarks on India, @elonmusk -
— Geeta Mohan گیتا موہن गीता मोहन (@Geeta_Mohan) June 20, 2023
We cannot apply America to Earth.
Twitter didn't have a choice but to obey local govts. If we don't obey local laws then we will get shut down.
We will do our best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the rule pic.twitter.com/n8NvWv436r
He was reacting to former Twitter boss Jack Dorsey's claims that he was pressured by the Indian government to block accounts covering the farmers' protests.
Prime Minister Modi's meetings with global thought leaders
Apart from his meeting with Elon Musk, Prime Minister Modi engaged with numerous thought leaders during his visit to the United States. These influential figures ranged from Nobel laureates and economists to artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs. The diverse range of discussions covered topics such as energy, spirituality, and global challenges, highlighting India's commitment to international cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Bottom line
Elon Musk's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only showcased his admiration for Modi's leadership but also unveiled Tesla's future investment plans in India.
With Musk's expressed interest in bringing Starlink to rural areas and his acknowledgment of the importance of complying with local laws, the visit holds significant promise for technological advancements and collaboration between Tesla and India.