The electric carmaker Tesla has posted 13 job openings in Mumbai and New Delhi, just days after its CEO, Elon Musk, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week. This move comes as India recently reduced taxes on high-end cars, a decision that could boost Tesla’s prospects in the country.

US electric car manufacturer Tesla announced job openings for 13 roles in India on Monday. The positions, which range from consumer engagement to store manager roles, were posted on the company's LinkedIn page.

This development follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, where he met with Tesla’s founder and CEO, Elon Musk, who also holds a special government position under former President Donald Trump.

While no official announcements were made after their meeting, Modi later shared on X that he had discussed topics such as "space, mobility, technology, and innovation" with Musk.

Most of the job openings are based in India’s financial hub, Mumbai, while five positions are available in either Mumbai or the capital, New Delhi.

Tesla previously had a minor presence in India, but high import duties posed a significant challenge. Recently, India reduced taxes on high-end cars priced above $40,000 (€38,200) from 110% to 70%. According to The Economic Times, this reduction may have influenced Tesla’s renewed interest in the Indian market.

The tax reduction is likely a response to Trump’s threats of imposing reciprocal tariffs.

Despite growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs), India remains a relatively small market for them, with only 100,000 EVs sold last year. In contrast, China sold 11 million EVs in the same period.

Tesla has been laying the groundwork for expansion in India since 2021 by setting up sales infrastructure. However, Musk previously cited high tariffs as a major obstacle to Tesla’s plans in the country. During an earnings call in April 2024, Business Standard reported that Musk aimed to "use current production lines much more efficiently."

It remains unclear whether Tesla intends to establish manufacturing plants in India. However, Musk has been exploring opportunities in the country for some time. Reports from last year suggested that Tesla was scouting potential locations for factories and showrooms in India.

In addition to Tesla’s expansion, Musk also has plans to launch his satellite internet service, Starlink, in India.