Did Musk meet Modi as a CEO or US govt official? Trump thinks it's the former

US President Donald Trump believes Elon Musk met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi because he wanted to do business in India. 

Trump, after announcing "reciprocal tariffs" on Thursday (Feb 13) was answering the questions of reporters. 

The US president stressed that "India is a very hard place to do business in because of the tariffs". 

Also read: Elon Musk's kids take the limelight as he meets PM Modi in US | See pics HERE

"They have the highest tariffs...It's a hard place to do business. I would imagine he met possibly because he is running a company, he is doing this as something that he has felt strongly about for a long time," Trump said. 

Journalist: Did Elon Musk meet with Prime Minister Modi as an American CEO, or as a representative of the US govt?

President Trump: I don’t know. They met, and I assume he wants to do business in India. But India is a very hard place to do business in because of the tariffs... pic.twitter.com/rAsyUOfTRm

— WION (@WIONews) February 13, 2025

Trump also announced reciprocal tariffs the same day before his meeting with Indian PM Modi. 

In an escalation on trade issues, Trump further said that whatever countries charge the US, America will charge the same, "no more, no less". 

Also read: PM Modi US visit Live: Trump imposes 'reciprocal tariffs', says 'India has the most'

For example, if India imposes a 25 per cent tariff on US autos, Washington will have a 25 per cent tariff as well on imports of autos from India, explained a Nomura report this week.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Thursday (Feb 13) at the Blair House in Washington DC. 

Musk, who heads the Donald Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was accompanied by his three children. He also presented PM Modi with a special gift before the discussion.

Also read: 'India has more than nearly any other country': Trump imposes 'reciprocal tariffs' ahead of meeting with PM Modi

Taking to his official X handle, PM Modi said that he had a good meeting with Musk, where he discussed issues such as space, mobility, technology, and innovation.

"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. I talked about India’s efforts towards reform and furthering ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance,’" PM Modi wrote on X. 

Also read: Trump, Modi to discuss defence, trade, and critical technologies; key announcements expected

(With inputs from agencies)