Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Musk in India: Tesla, Starlink and X on agenda

In addition to Tesla, Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink is expected to receive preliminary clearances to operate in India.

Musk in India: Tesla, Starlink and X on agenda

Billionaire Elon Musk is gearing up for a visit to India, targeting an electric vehicle plant in the country. But that's not the only thing he will be discussing during his India visit.

In addition to Tesla, Musk's satellite internet company Starlink is expected to receive preliminary clearances to operate in India, as per information from a government official speaking to AFP.


The trip is also expected to address the substantial number of content removal requests from the Indian government directed at X (formerly Twitter), the social media platform Musk acquired in 2022. Last week, Musk excitedly announced on X, "Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India!" though he did not specify the date of his arrival.

Reports from Indian news outlets indicate that Musk’s visit could commence this Sunday and is planned to last for two days. This follows a period of intense engagement between Modi and the billionaire, building on their meeting in New York last June. Post-meeting, Musk expressed on social media that Modi had encouraged him to "make significant investments in India," an initiative he affirmed his companies are prepared to undertake.

Amidst growing competition from China and a downturn in demand in the US, Tesla has considered reducing its workforce, as per various reports. Tesla is currently experiencing a slowdown in sales within the US.

Musk, a self-proclaimed admirer of Modi, has previously stated that India "has more promise than any large country in the world."

However, despite Musk's positive outlook on India, the country faces challenges in attracting foreign direct investment. High import duties have notably hindered Tesla's entry into the Indian market without local manufacturing facilities. Moreover, in 2021, Starlink was publicly criticised by the communications ministry for initiating service presales in India without the necessary operational license.

This year, in a move to attract more foreign investment ahead of the national elections, the government has relaxed some regulations. Recently, it reduced import taxes on electric vehicles for international manufacturers that pledge to invest $500 million and start local production within three years. Under the new scheme, automakers can import up to 8,000 electric vehicles annually, priced at $35,000 or more, at a reduced import duty of 15 percent.

Earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that Tesla is sending a team to survey potential factory sites in at least three Indian states. Indian media also reports that Tesla may initially import vehicles from its Berlin plant until a final decision on production in India is made.

Although experts remain skeptical about the immediate impact of Tesla's entry into the Indian market, due to the high cost of its vehicles, there is a general consensus that the market could reach a turning point as incomes rise and production costs for electric vehicles decrease. According to Counterpoint, electric vehicles, which currently represent two percent of all automotive sales, are expected to surge to nearly 30 percent by 2030.

On the legal front, Musk continues to deal with legacy issues from X, notably the ongoing legal challenges against orders from the Indian government to remove certain content critical of Modi's administration. Despite the legal battles, Musk has expressed his intention to comply with local regulations, stating to a BBC journalist last year, "If we have a choice of either our people go to prison or we comply with the laws, we will comply with the laws."

(AFP)

More For You

Campbell Wilson

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson steps down as Air India Express chair

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson steps down as Air India Express chair

AIR INDIA CEO Campbell Wilson is stepping down as chair of Air India Express, the airline’s low-cost subsidiary. He will be replaced by Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s chief commercial officer, according to an internal memo sent on Tuesday.

Wilson will also step down from the board of Air India Express. Basil Kwauk, Air India’s chief operating officer, will take his place.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air India eyes Boeing jets rejected by Chinese airlines: report

Tata-owned Air India is interested in purchasing jets that Chinese carriers can no longer accept (Photo credit: Air India)

Air India eyes Boeing jets rejected by Chinese airlines: report

AIR INDIA is seeking to acquire Boeing aircrafts originally destined for Chinese airlines, as escalating tariffs between Washington and Beijing disrupt planned deliveries, reported The Times.

The Tata-owned airline, currently working on its revival strategy, is interested in purchasing jets that Chinese carriers can no longer accept due to the recent trade dispute. According to reports, Tata is also keen to secure future delivery slots should they become available.

Keep ReadingShow less
Infosys forecasts lower annual growth after Trump tariffs cause global uncertainty

The IT service firm said its revenue would either stay flat or grow by up to three per cent

Getty Images

Infosys forecasts lower annual growth after Trump tariffs cause global uncertainty

INDIAN tech giant Infosys forecast muted annual revenue growth last Thursday (17) in an outlook that suggests clients might curtail tech spending because of growing global uncertainty.

The IT service firm said its revenue would either stay flat or grow by up to three per cent in the fiscal year through March 2026 on a constant currency basis. The sales forecast was lower than the 4.2 per cent constantcurrency revenue growth Infosys recorded in the previous financial year.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK retailers

For many retailers, this has meant closing stores, cutting jobs, and focusing on more profitable business segments

Getty

6 UK retailers facing major store closures in 2025

In 2025, several UK retailers are experiencing major store closures as they struggle to navigate financial pressures, rising operational costs, and changing consumer behaviours. These closures reflect the ongoing challenges faced by traditional brick-and-mortar stores in an increasingly digital world. While some closures are part of larger restructuring efforts, others have been driven by financial instability or market shifts that have forced retailers to rethink their business strategies. Let’s take a closer look at six major UK retailers affected by these trends.

1. Morrisons

Morrisons, one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, is undergoing a significant restructuring in 2025. The company has announced the closure of several in-store services, including 52 cafés, 18 Market Kitchens, 17 convenience stores, and various other departments. This move is part of a larger strategy to streamline operations and address rising costs. Morrisons’ parent company, CD&R, has been focusing on reducing overheads and refocusing on core services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Trump

The UK is seeking an agreement with the US to remove Trump’s 10 per cent general tariff on goods and the 25 per cent tariff on steel and cars.

Getty Images

Industry warns Starmer: Strike deal with US or face factory job losses

FACTORY owners could begin laying off workers within months unless prime minister Keir Starmer secures a trade agreement with US president Donald Trump, MPs have been told.

Make UK, an industry lobby group, told the business and trade select committee that tariffs on British exports were reducing demand for UK-manufactured goods.

Keep ReadingShow less