Musk's Ventures Make Historic Debut in India: Tesla and Starlink Unite

Sat Sep 13 2025 13:15:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Elon Musk's ambitious plans in India gain momentum as Starlink and Tesla achieve significant breakthroughs.

In a remarkable development for Elon Musk, his companies Starlink and Tesla have made substantial advancements in India, signaling a new era of opportunities in the nation. After three years of regulatory navigation, Starlink, the satellite internet service under SpaceX, has officially secured the necessary approval for commercial operations. Meanwhile, Tesla has inaugurated its first showroom in Mumbai, allowing Indian customers to purchase electric vehicles directly for the first time. Industry analysts view these strides as positive indications of Musk's ambitions to establish a foothold in this growing market, despite his ongoing legal battles with the Indian government surrounding content management on his social media platform, X. The significance of Starlink's approval cannot be understated, as it targets a vast audience of over 600 million Indians currently without internet access, potentially revolutionizing connectivity in the region.

In a historic week for Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk has achieved key milestones in India that could reshape the landscape for both companies. On July 9, Starlink received its long-awaited regulatory green light after a protracted three-year approval process, allowing it to launch its satellite internet services commercially. Just days later, on July 11, Tesla opened its first-ever showroom in Mumbai, officially bringing electric vehicle sales to the Indian market.

Experts believe these developments demonstrate Musk's determination to make inroads in India, especially under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, despite a complex relationship that includes ongoing legal disputes over content regulations affecting Musk's social media platform, X.

The approval for Starlink's operations is particularly noteworthy. In a country where approximately 600 million citizens lack internet access, Starlink's satellite services hold immense potential to bridge this digital divide. The regulatory milestone was achieved with a license from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, reaffirming India’s growing interest in satellite-based connectivity solutions. With these advances, Musk's ventures are set to transform industries in India, marking a key chapter in India's tech evolution.