Elon Musk’s highly anticipated visit to India, scheduled for April 21 and 22, has been postponed, as reported by CNBC-TV18. The Tesla CEO was set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two-day trip and unveil plans for Tesla’s entry into the Indian market.
Musk himself announced the delay via X (formerly Twitter), citing “very heavy Tesla obligations” as the reason. Despite the setback, Musk expressed his eagerness to visit India later in the year.
According to sources, the clash between Musk’s scheduled call with investors and analysts regarding Tesla’s earnings on April 23 and his planned visit to India might have led to the postponement. As of now, the new dates for his visit remain undisclosed.
During his now-cancelled trip, Musk was expected to announce a significant investment of $2-$3 billion in India, primarily aimed at establishing a new factory. Additionally, he was scheduled to engage with Indian startups and space companies.
Unfortunately, very heavy Tesla obligations require that the visit to India be delayed, but I do very much look forward to visiting later this year.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2024
Musk’s intended visit to India had garnered significant attention, especially after his tweet on April 10 expressing his anticipation to meet PM Modi. Coincidentally, the Indian government had recently introduced a new electric vehicle manufacturing policy, offering duty concessions to companies committing to manufacturing in India.
Reports from news agency ANI revealed that the state governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat had extended land offers to Tesla for setting up the plant. The proposed manufacturing facility, with estimated investments ranging from $2 billion to $3 billion, aims to meet both domestic and international demand for Tesla’s electric vehicles.
Despite the delay, Musk’s interest in India remains evident, reflecting his company’s potential significant investment as the Indian government endeavors to attract foreign EV brands to the country. With Tesla’s ambitious plans and India’s growing focus on electric mobility, the delayed visit holds promise for future collaborations between Musk’s enterprises and the Indian market.
