Tesla CEO Elon Musk met with a group of top Indian business leaders at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas on Friday. He shared his positive outlook on the growing relationship between India and the US and supported the idea of strengthening trade ties between the two countries. Musk also expressed his willingness to reduce trade barriers to help businesses grow.

A delegation from the UK-based India Global Forum (IGF), which included prominent Indian entrepreneurs like Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Kalyan Raman (Flipkart), and Aryaman Birla (Aditya Birla Group), visited the US. This visit marked an important step as IGF expanded into the US, aiming to strengthen business ties between the two countries.

During their tour of SpaceX's space exploration facilities, the Indian business leaders saw the launch of Starship Flight 7, which saw its upper stage break apart over the Atlantic. During a moderated discussion, Musk talked about the opportunity to strengthen cooperation between India and the US, especially in technology and space exploration. He stressed the importance of lowering trade barriers to improve business and encourage shared growth.

“Things are trending positive. I’m certainly in favour of lowering trade barriers to increase commerce between the US and India,” Musk stated, as reported by PTI.

Musk also appreciated India as an old and sophisticated civilisation that has made major contributions to world innovation. The meeting, which took place shortly before Donald Trump's second term inauguration as US President, also discussed Musk’s potential role in the new administration. Musk is likely to co-chair the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), highlighting his growing influence in US policy and governance. 

Apart from the SpaceX meeting, the delegation also engaged in closed-door talks with Jacob Helberg, the appointed Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, and other members of the incoming Trump administration. The American economy, digital infrastructure prospects and enhancing bilateral cooperation through innovation and technology were the main topics of these talks.