On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Modi met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the Blair House, the presidential guest house in the United States. They discussed a range of issues including space, mobile communication industry, technology, and innovation. Later that afternoon, Modi is set to meet with President Trump.
Modi wrote on social media that he had a very pleasant meeting with Musk in Washington, D.C., where they discussed various topics, including Modi’s efforts in reform and advancing the concept of “minimum government, maximum governance” in India.
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Musk is responsible for the efficiency department of the US government, and the two sides discussed enhancing cooperation between India and the US in areas of artificial intelligence and sustainable development.
“Their discussions also included opportunities for deepening cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and good governance,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated in another press release.
During the meeting with Modi at the Blair House, Musk brought his three children who were seen sitting together. Shivon Zilis, the director of the US neurotech and brain-machine interface company Neuralink, also attended the meeting.
Following his arrival in Washington, DC, Modi met with the newly appointed National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday to discuss strengthening intelligence cooperation, particularly in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, emerging threats, and strategic intelligence sharing. Modi is also scheduled to meet with Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Modi also shared a few photos of the meeting, showing interactions between himself and Musk’s three children. He gifted the children three books.
Modi and Musk have had multiple meetings in the past. In 2015, Modi visited Tesla’s factory in San Jose, and Musk personally showed him around the facility.
On Thursday afternoon, US President Trump is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Modi. Senior White House officials indicated that during the meeting with Modi, Trump will push for a “fair” trade agreement with India. The leaders of both countries will also discuss new defense partnership relations and arms sales during the meeting. Modi and Trump will hold a joint press conference.
According to Reuters, an Indian government official, who preferred to remain anonymous, mentioned that ahead of the White House meeting on Thursday, Modi had prepared commitments including increasing purchases of liquefied natural gas, military vehicles, and jet engines.
Indian officials are also exploring the potential for US agricultural exports to India, investment in nuclear energy, and reducing tariffs in at least a dozen sectors including electronic products, medical and surgical equipment, and chemicals.
Another source familiar with the Trump team’s thinking revealed that these initiatives were seen as a “gift” to Trump.
US and Indian officials are also advancing bilateral trade negotiation. An official from the Trump administration stated that they hope to reach an agreement this year. “We envision building a stronger defense partnership, including procurement and advancing defense exercises,” a senior official from the Trump administration mentioned.
“In terms of energy, we have the ability to power India’s economy through US energy sales, and the President believes both can help reduce the trade deficit.”
“While most of the talks will revolve around bilateral relations, trade, immigration, and defense procurement, the China issue will be pervasive throughout the meeting,” said Lisa Curtis, a researcher at the think tank “New American Security,” speaking to Reuters. She previously served as a White House official in the Trump administration focusing on India-related issues.
Richard Rossow, head of the India program at the Washington think tank “Center for Strategic and International Studies,” told Reuters that tariff issues will be a focal point of the meeting.
“This will be a boxing match,” he said. “I think India is willing to take some hits, but to a limit.”
The trade deficit between the US and India is $45.6 billion. Overall, based on data from the World Trade Organization, the US has a trade-weighted average tariff rate of about 2.2%, while India’s rate is 12%.