Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk in Washington on Thursday to discuss topics such as space, mobility, technology, and innovation. Discussions included potential collaborations in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and good governance, as mentioned by India's foreign ministry in a statement.
The meeting addressed the potential entry of SpaceX's Starlink into the South Asian market, amid ongoing discussions with the Indian government regarding spectrum allocation for satellite services. The decision on allowing Starlink in India has raised concerns within the domestic satellite internet sector, shaping India's regulatory approach to space-based communications in the global space race.
Modi's engagements with Musk underscore the significance of technology and space policy following his previous visits to the U.S. For instance, in 2023, India signed the U.S. Artemis Accords after talks with former President Joe Biden. The forthcoming discussions between Modi and President Donald Trump are expected to focus on trade and tariff concessions, rather than unofficial meetings with other business leaders.
Musk's meeting with Modi generated criticism from some Democrats who question his influential role and potential conflicts of interest. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy expressed concerns about Musk's interactions with foreign leaders and his dual role as a business executive and governmental representative.
The nature of Musk's meeting with Modi raised questions about whether it was conducted in his capacity as a CEO or a representative of the U.S. government. Trump hinted at this ambiguity but indicated that he would seek clarification during his upcoming meeting with Modi.