Elon Musk many a times showed his disappointment with the central government over heavy-import duties in the country. It has been in debate for over a time now.
Recently, a Twitter user asked Musk when Tesla would come to India, to which he replied that the company is facing some headwinds regarding that, hinting at the import duties again!
Then what??
The officeholder of the Telangana state government was quick enough to send him an invite on Twitter to come and invest in their state.
After this, Maharashtra and Punjab government Office bearers used the opportunity and welcomed Musk to invest in their respective states.
Now one can say, at least, not with the central government, Elon Musk must be impressed with the Indian state governments that are leaving no stone unturned to set a stage for the American electric vehicle manufacturer to enter in the country. So far in the day, three of the Indian state government officials have welcomed Musk to come to the country and invest in their respective states.
Telangana spearheaded the invitations rally to Tesla on Twitter, followed by Maharashtra and Punjab.
The last one to tweet was Congress MP Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, the President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, took to Twitter and invited Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
According to Sidhu, Ludhiana can become a centre for the electric vehicle and battery industries under the “Punjab Model.”
Punjab will facilitate “time-bound single window clearance for investment that brings new technology” and creates “green jobs,” according to Sidhu, who made headlines in the recent past that led to rejig in the Punjab government.
For the unversed, Sidhu is also viewed as a leading contender for the chief ministerial post if Congress wins assembly polls next month.
I invite @elonmusk, Punjab Model will create Ludhiana as hub for Electric Vehicles & Battery industry with time bound single window clearance for investment that brings new technology to Punjab, create green jobs, walking path of environment preservation & sustainable development https://t.co/kXDMhcdVi6
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) January 16, 2022
Sidhu replied to the Elon Musk Tweet, who informed a netizen that Tesla is growing through “a lot of challenges” for its launch of vehicles in India.
The netizen, a Twitter user identified as Pranay Pathole, and on January 13 he asked Musk: “…any further update as to when Tesla’s will launch in India?”
The Tesla boss, who is known for being so active and prompt on Twitter, said: “Still working through a lot of challenges with the government”.
Still working through a lot of challenges with the government
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2022
Telangana industry and commerce minister– KT Rama Rao– was the first political office holder in India who replied to Musk’s remark.
On January 14, he urged Tesla CEO to think about investing in Telangana, which he described as a champion in sustainability initiatives and “top-notch business destination in India”.
Hey Elon, I am the Industry & Commerce Minister of Telangana state in India
Will be happy to partner Tesla in working through the challenges to set shop in India/Telangana
Our state is a champion in sustainability initiatives & a top notch business destination in India https://t.co/hVpMZyjEIr
— KTR (@KTRTRS) January 14, 2022
Maharashtra counterpart, Jayant Patil, was the next one to jump on the bandwagon had invited Musk to establish a manufacturing plant in the state.
“Maharashtra is one of the most progressive states in India. We will provide you with all the necessary help from Maharashtra for you to get established in India. We invite you to establish your manufacturing plant in Maharashtra,” Patil tweeted on January 16.
.@elonmusk, Maharashtra is one of the most progressive states in India. We will provide you all the necessary help from Maharashtra for you to get established in India. We invite you to establish your manufacturing plant in Maharashtra. https://t.co/w8sSZTpUpb
— Jayant Patil- जयंत पाटील (@Jayant_R_Patil) January 16, 2022
Elon Musk had tweeted last July that Tesla wanted to step into the Indian market “but import duties are the highest in the world by far of any large country”.
Adding to the series of complaints regarding high import taxes in India by several world famous carmakers, luxury car manufacturer Audi also called out the “ high taxation on imported cars in India” as an “impediment for growth of the electric segment,” adding that “even some relief in terms of duties could help it sell more vehicles and convince its headquarters to re-invest in the country for local manufacturing of such models.”