In a significant week for Elon Musk, two of his companies made noteworthy strides in India, marking a long-awaited entry into the country’s burgeoning market. Starlink, the satellite internet service by SpaceX, achieved a crucial regulatory milestone on July 9, officially receiving approval to launch its commercial operations after a rigorous three-year process.
Adding to this momentum, Tesla inaugurated its first showroom in Mumbai on July 11, enabling Indian consumers to finally purchase electric vehicles. This dual achievement signals an encouraging shift for Musk's endeavors in India, a nation currently led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid a backdrop of mixed relations, especially concerning Musk's social media platform, X, which is embroiled in legal battles with the Indian government.
The importance of Starlink’s approval cannot be understated, especially considering that nearly 600 million Indians currently lack internet access. Even a fraction of this population represents a potentially vast customer base. By securing a license from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, Starlink is poised to tap into this unserved market, bolstering digital connectivity across the nation.
Experts view these developments as positive progress for Musk's long-term ambitions in India, highlighting the strategic importance of breaking into one of the world's largest emerging markets. With the dual launch of Tesla and Starlink, Musk’s vision for expanding his tech empire in India is now poised to make a significant impact.
