'Tesla in pipeline', says Gujarat industry minister ahead of Vibrant Gujarat Summit: ANI

Gujarat's industry minister Balvantsingh Rajput categorically noted today that high level talks were on for viable investment from Tesla, ANI reported. 

"I want to share that Tesla is in the pipeline, he responded to a reporter's query at a presser. 

"Quite a few companies are in touch. Talks are going on at higher levels, and we are positive," he added.

Further talking on this issue, SJ, Haider, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries and Mines Department said, "We have more than 20 investor policies and we are a policy driven state," ANI noted. 

Elon Musk had said in June last year that he was planning to visit India in 2024, and was confident that the carmaker will be in India "as humanly possible." 

Musk had noted that PM Modi had invited him, adding that "I would like to thank PM Modi for his support and hopefully, we will be able to announce something in the future." 

Tesla was concerned about India's high import duty structure, which is between 25 to 100% on completely built unit vehicles (CBUs), ANI noted. 

In November last year, Commerce and Industy Minister Piyush Goyal visited Tesla's manufacturing facility in Fremont and said Tesla was on its way to double imports of components from India. 

Goyal had expressed pride in the growing importance of auto component suppliers from India in the Tesla EV supply chain.