PM Modi meets Elon Musk in Washington DC; discusses space, technology

"Had a very good meeting with Elon Musk in Washington DC. We discussed various issues, including those he is passionate about such as space, mobility, technology and innovation," PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

"I talked about India’s efforts towards reform and furthering ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’," he added.

PM Modi and Musk have met multiple times before, including during the prime minister’s 2015 visit to San Jose, where the Tesla CEO personally gave him a tour of the company’s facility.

The meeting comes ahead of Modi's bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump during which the two leaders are likely to discuss tariffs, trade and immigration.

Trump and Modi, who share a bonhomie from the Republican leader's first term in 2016-2020, are likely to get down to some serious issues of trade cutting across the warm hugs amid the White House's increase in taxes on imports from all countries.

Though Trump is fond of Modi, the US President, who has levied 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports very recently, calls India a "very big abuser" on trade.

Modi is likely to promise Trump increased liquified natural gas, combat vehicle and jet engine purchases, the Indian government officials told Reuters in anonymity.