The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Billionaire Elon Musk’s surprise visit to China this week, after abruptly canceling a planned trip to India, has left the South Asian nation feeling snubbed and escalated tensions between the two Asian rivals vying for foreign investment.
Musk was due to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month and announce an investment of up to $3 billion in a Tesla car plant. However, he canceled the trip citing “very heavy Tesla obligations.”
Just days later, the Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter owner turned up in China, meeting with Premier Li Qiang and making progress toward rolling out Tesla’s advanced driver assistance system in the world’s biggest auto market.
The about-turn has sparked outrage in India, with news channels blasting Musk for insulting the country by choosing China over a scheduled India visit. Commentators have questioned the billionaire’s priorities and ethics.
“Here in India, everybody was shocked,” anchor Faye D’Souza said on Mirror Now, running a prime-time segment titled “Shoddy ethics or simply business?”
The incident highlights the growing rivalry between India and China, the region’s two largest economies, whose business and diplomatic ties have strained since deadly border clashes in 2020.
Musk’s India trip carried significance for Modi, who is seeking an endorsement of his business-friendly image ahead of elections as he campaigns for a rare third term. A Tesla investment could have boosted Modi’s re-election bid.
Instead, Modi’s opponents have pounced, criticizing his government’s policies that they say are causing multinationals to favor China over India repeatedly.
“Do you think Modi will forgive Musk from his heart?” asked satirist Akash Banerjee in a video clocking over 268,000 views.
The controversy underscores India’s desperation to catch up with China in attracting foreign firms as they diversify beyond Beijing due to its tensions with the West.
While India touts itself as a democratic alternative to China, critics say its businesses face excessive red tape, policy uncertainties and regulatory risks.
As the Asian giants wrestle for global investors and supply chains, Musk’s perceived snub has underlined India’s fears of being bypassed for its richer rival once again.
