Tesla and Starlink Set to Enter India After Musk-Modi Talks

AUSTIN, Texas — Elon Musk said Tesla and Starlink are preparing to enter India, pointing to a new round of talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he described as warm and productive. The move would open one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets to two of Musk's flagship ventures.

Musk said both companies are lining up the groundwork — retail, service and regulatory approvals for Tesla, and spectrum and licensing arrangements for Starlink — with an eye on a staged rollout rather than a single splashy launch.

A Market Years in the Making

India has long sat near the top of Tesla's expansion wish list. With a vast middle class, rising energy demand and a government pushing hard on electrification, the country represents an enormous runway for electric-vehicle adoption. Musk framed the opportunity as a natural next step after a strong quarter that saw Tesla showrooms sell out of inventory as Q3 closed.

For Tesla, an India entry could eventually mean local assembly, a charging network tailored to Indian cities, and price points designed for first-time EV buyers. For Starlink, it means connecting rural and remote regions where fixed broadband has never reached.

Two Companies, One Opening

Starlink's appeal in India is straightforward: beam high-speed internet to places terrestrial networks struggle to serve. With the constellation now larger and faster than ever, the service is well positioned to onboard subscribers quickly once licensing clears.

Tesla, meanwhile, arrives with momentum from a record-setting production run and a product lineup that keeps widening. The company heads into its Q3 delivery report on Oct. 2 with demand signals pointing up across its major markets.

What Comes Next

Musk offered an optimistic timeline but stopped short of firm dates, saying the companies want to get the launch right rather than rush it. Indian officials have signaled openness to both ventures, viewing them as catalysts for manufacturing jobs, cleaner transport and wider connectivity. Additional detail on Tesla's global plans is available on Tesla's official site.

If the pieces fall into place, India could become one of the most important chapters in the Tesla and Starlink growth stories — a billion-plus-person market finally within reach.