Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting the United States, met with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk before meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The discussion covered various topics, including space and technology. The meeting, held in front of the U.S. flag, gave the impression of an official summit rather than just a casual meeting.
According to Reuters, on February 13 (local time), Modi met with Elon Musk at Blair House, the official guest residence near the White House. (India’s Modi Talks, 2025) After their meeting, Modi posted on the social media platform X, stating, “It was a great meeting.” He further elaborated, *“We discussed various issues, including those he is passionate about, such as space, mobility, technology, and innovation. I talked about India’s efforts towards reform and furthering ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.’” (Modi, 2025)
Reports indicate that the meeting also included discussions on SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, and its potential expansion into the South Asian market, which is more about Musk’s personal business interests rather than a diplomatic topic. Starlink has been pursuing entry into India for some time but has faced regulatory challenges, particularly regarding spectrum allocation. Recently, Starlink has clashed with Indian conglomerate Reliance over the issue. While the Indian government supports spectrum allocation instead of an auction process—aligning with Musk’s position—Starlink’s license application remains under review. If approved, Starlink’s entry is expected to significantly impact India’s satellite internet industry, as the country seeks to strengthen its position in the global space economy through regulatory strategies. (Elon Musk Says, 2024)
The meeting stirred controversy in U.S. political circles, as Modi and Musk’s meeting resembled an official diplomatic summit. Senator Chris Murphy (Democrat) criticized Musk on X, saying, *“Musk is effectively operating as the Secretary of State, and he is meeting
with a key foreign leader not to ask for concessions that would benefit Americans, but for concessions that would make him rich.” (Murphy, 2025)
The New York Times (NYT) also commented on the optics, noting, “Musk, sitting in front of the U.S. flag next to PM Modi, looks like the head of state.” However, while Modi was accompanied by his assistants, Musk was reportedly joined only by his family members. (Haberman et al., 2025)
When asked about the meeting, Trump addressed the controversy, telling reporters, “I would imagine he met, possibly, because, you know, he’s running a company.” He added that he would ask Modi about it, as he is scheduled to meet with him soon. (Saaliq, 2025)
References
ABC News. (2025, February 13). Elon Musk met Modi before Indian Prime Minister’s U.S. visit. ABC News.
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/elon-musk-met-modi-indian-prime-ministers-us 118815702
Modi, N. [@narendramodi]. (2025, February 13). Had a great meeting with @elonmusk today. We discussed opportunities in space, technology, and innovation! [Tweet]. Twitter. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1890100201496748210
Murphy, C. [@ChrisMurphyCT]. (2025, February 13). Elon Musk is meeting with foreign leaders like he’s the Secretary of State. This raises serious questions. [Tweet]. Twitter. https://x.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/1890089192946037205
Reuters. (2024, December 18). Elon Musk says Starlink inactive in India after second device seized. Reuters.
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/elon-musk-says-starlink-inactive-india-after-second-dev ice-seized-2024-12-18/
Reuters. (2025, February 13). India’s Modi holds meeting with billionaire Tesla CEO Musk. Reuters.
https://www.reuters.com/world/indias-modi-holds-meeting-with-billionaire-tesla-ceo-musk-2 025-02-13/
Shear, M. D., & Sanger, D. E. (2025, February 13). Trump, Modi, and Musk: The politics of an unusual meeting. The New York Times.
By. Yoonjeong Choi