NEW DELHI: Tech billionaire Elon Musk said on Wednesday he planned to meet Indian Prime Minis­ter Narendra Modi, following suggestions the Tesla boss will soon announce major investment plans in the country.

He made the announcement on his social media platform X, without giving a date for his visit.

“Looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India,” he wrote. Indian media reported the visit could be in the week of April 22, but there was no official confirmation.

Last month, India cut import taxes on electric vehicles for global auto­makers committed to investing $500 million and starting local production within three years.

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The reduced 15 per cent tax would apply for five years to any imported electric car priced at $35,000 and above, India’s commerce ministry said in a statement at the time.

The move was widely seen as a win for Musk’s Tesla. In 2021 the billionaire, responding to a user on X, said that India’s high import duties had prevented Tesla from launching its cars in the country.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2024