Only President Trump has a 'copyright' on the word deal, says PM Modi in US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump during a press conference on Thursday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said only US President Donald Trump has a 'copyright' on the word deal, skirting a question on any business deal with billionaire Elon Musk.

"We have a very old relationship. I know him (Elon Musk) since I was the chief minister of Gujarat. He came with his family to meet me today. As far as any deal is concerned, only one person has a copyright on the word deal in the world and that is Trump," Modi said during an official press conference of the two world leaders.

The statement comes after Musk has been trying to launch SpaceX's Starlink in India

PM Modi met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Thursday in Washington where they discussed issues including space, mobility, technology and innovation, Modi said on X.

"Their discussion also touched on opportunities to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and good governance," the ministry of external affairs said separately in a statement.

SpaceX's Starlink has long wanted to launch in India and has in recent months clashed with billionaire Mukesh Ambani's company over how the country should grant spectrum for satellite services. Government has sided with Musk that spectrum should be assigned and not auctioned, but Starlink's license application is still under review.

India's looming decision on US-based Starlink has shaken the country's domestic satellite internet sector and made its regulatory strategy on space-based communications a key issue in the country's push to stimulate commercial space activities and become a competitive force in the global space race.

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