Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Tuesday that the electric carmaker is planning to invest in India as soon as possible. Musk’s statement came after a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York during the latter’s state visit to the U.S., reports Reuters.
Musk expressed his confidence in Tesla’s future in India and his intention to visit the country next year. “I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible,” Musk told reporters. He also thanked Prime Minister Modi for his support and hinted at a possible announcement in the near future.
Musk, who said he is “a fan” of Modi, recalled the prime minister’s visit to a Tesla factory in California several years ago. He praised India’s potential, saying, “India has more promise than any large country in the world. He (Modi) really cares about India because he’s pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do. We are just trying to figure out the right timing.”
Musk also spoke about India’s potential for a sustainable energy future, including solar power, stationary battery packs, and electric vehicles. He expressed his hope to bring SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service to India as well.
Last month, Tesla executives visited India and held discussions with Indian bureaucrats and ministers about setting up a manufacturing base for cars and batteries in the country. Musk mentioned that Tesla would likely choose a location for a new factory by the end of this year, and he finds India an interesting place for a new plant.