During a visit to SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas on Friday, Elon Musk shared his optimistic view on the growing India-US trade relationship, stating that the bilateral ties are “trending positive.” Musk, a key player in both the automotive and technology sectors, expressed his support for lowering trade barriers between the two nations to foster increased commerce and collaboration. This dialogue came as part of a special tour for a delegation of leading Indian entrepreneurs, organized by the India Global Forum (IGF) to mark its expansion into the United States.

The Indian entrepreneurs, including figures like Prashant Ruia (Essar Capital), Jay Kotak (Kotak811), and Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), were given an exclusive glimpse into SpaceX’s cutting-edge technology and witnessed the successful launch of Starship Flight 7. During a moderated discussion, Musk highlighted India’s growing role in global innovation and space exploration, emphasizing the potential for stronger technology partnerships.

Musk further described India as "one of the ancient civilisations and a very great and very complex one," underscoring the nation’s importance on the world stage. He encouraged more cross-border partnerships, particularly in technology and space exploration, two fields that are becoming increasingly vital in the modern world.

The meeting, which also took place just before Donald Trump’s inauguration for his second term as US President, reflected growing recognition of India’s potential as a technology leader and a key player in global economic and technological transformation. The IGF delegation also participated in closed-door discussions with senior figures in the incoming Trump administration, exploring opportunities for foreign investment, tech innovation, and digital infrastructure.

The discussions at SpaceX’s Starbase highlighted the need for strengthening bilateral collaborations between India and the US, particularly in sectors like space exploration and technology. IGF Founder Manoj Ladwa emphasized the importance of fostering global collaborations in addressing the world’s defining challenges, signaling that India’s rise offers boundless opportunities for international partnerships.