Modi reciprocated during a White House visit, gifting books by renowned authors to Musk’s children. However, Musk has recently squandered much of this goodwill. Frustrated by delays in securing approvals for Starlink’s satellite internet service, he has accused Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani of crony capitalism, indirectly targeting Modi as well.
To put it mildly, this isn’t how business in India is conducted. Companies line up every year to give a perfect 10 marks out of 10 for every union budget and barring a few exceptions like Rahul Bajaj, no CEO would ever think of publicly criticising the prime minister.
The Two Possibilities
So, what was Musk thinking? First, he was at his wit’s end and took a gamble that no corporate communications team on earth would ever approve of. It sounds silly, but Musk is a mercurial man who regularly lashes out at his corporate and political enemies. The attacks against Modi and Ambani are par for the course. The only problem is that there is no scenario where the centre admits defeat and gives Starlink permission because of his tirade. In fact, if anything, Modi likely doubles down and possibly never gives Musk the security sign-off that he needs.
This brings us to the second possibility. Musk really doesn’t need India and therefore doesn’t care. An instructive example here,is the way he famously never criticises the Chinese government, its policies or its politics. He has in fact toed the party line, suggesting that Taiwan as an integral part of China. This is because China is a meaningful market that accounted for about 18 per cent of Tesla’s revenues in the first half of 2026, compared to India, where barely less than 100 cars were sold in its first full year of operation. Yes, Tesla’s EVs are taxed heavily in India, but even without that, it’s unlikely that the Indian market would make a meaningful mark on the company’s topline.
Musk has been unwilling to set up a Tesla plant in India, instead preferring imports. While India hardly needs an undisciplined billionaire, whose policy approach remains questionable. As Airtel chief Sunil Mittal noted sometime ago, he is well ahead of Musk in the queue. If protectionism were the issue, India could have cleared Mittal’s approvals five years ago, giving him a first-mover advantage. The real problem is a painfully slow bureaucracy. Satellite communications are vital to India’s economy and national security. Prolonged delays serve neither purpose nor the country’s interests.
As for Musk, his importance to India has been amplified in part by his closeness to Donald Trump. With the Republicans set to fall out of favour in the United States, Musk may find himself at the table once more, forced to court Modi all over again.
