In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk’s recent visit to China has garnered concessions for Tesla while simultaneously stoking resentment in India following his canceled trip to the country earlier this month, a move deemed by Indian commentators as a snub.
The cancellation of Musk’s scheduled trip to India and subsequent visit to China underscores the intensifying rivalry between the two Asian giants, both boasting the largest populations and dynamic economies in the region. Tensions between India and China have escalated since a fatal border clash in 2020 resulted in casualties on both sides, straining business and diplomatic relations.
Initially slated to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announce a potential investment of up to $3 billion in a car plant, Musk cited “very heavy Tesla obligations” as the reason for scrapping the trip. The Indian government had already extended invitations for Musk to participate in a startup event, further amplifying the disappointment surrounding his absence.
However, Musk’s unexpected appearance in China over the weekend saw him engaging with Premier Li Qiang and making strides toward implementing Tesla’s advanced driver assistance package in the world’s largest auto market. Indian media outlets, known for their critical stance against China, swiftly condemned Musk’s pivot to China.
Mirror Now, a prominent news channel, aired a primetime segment titled “Shoddy Ethics or Simply Business?” questioning Musk’s decision, while News9 pondered, “Hello China, Goodbye India?” in reference to Musk’s swift change of plans. Despite requests for comment from Tesla and Modi’s office, neither party has responded.
Musk, on April 20, expressed anticipation for a future visit to India later in the year, though the Indian government has remained mum on both his canceled trip and subsequent visit to China. Musk’s potential trip to India held significance for Modi’s re-election campaign, as an endorsement of Modi’s business-friendly image could have been gleaned from a Tesla investment announcement during the electoral season, as Modi seeks a rare third term in office.
The fallout from Musk’s diplomatic maneuvering underscores the delicate balance of international relations amid economic ambitions and political aspirations.
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