Tesla executives set to meet with government officials

Delhi : In order to discuss local part sourcing and other concerns, senior Tesla executives will meet with Indian government representatives on Wednesday and Thursday, according to a person with firsthand knowledge of the situation.

The electric vehicle manufacturer has rekindled interest in India almost a year after shelving plans to sell vehicles there after failing to obtain reduced import duties, which CEO Elon Musk claimed are among the highest in the world.

A request for comment was not immediately answered by Tesla or a government representative for India.

While the Indian government wanted Tesla to commit to local production before lowering import duties on automobiles that may run as high as 100%, Tesla sought lower tariffs so it could test the local market with cars imported from the US and China.

The electric vehicle manufacturer had employed locals and started looking for showroom space, but those efforts were also shelved last year. Local sourcing is in line with Modi's "Make in India" campaign push to manufacturers, especially as businesses try to expand their supply chains outside China.