India demands that Tesla not sell Chinese-made electric cars in South Asian countries

U.S. electric car maker should “make cars in India, sell them in India and export them from India.”
India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, urged Tesla to stop selling its electric cars made in China to other South Asian countries. This information came on the back of Tesla’s entry into the Indian market.

Nitin Gadkari said that the U.S. electric car maker should “produce cars in India, sell them in India, and export them from India. In addition, the brand should also rely on local suppliers. The minister also added that Tesla cars will cost about $46,600 in India, and the local government will try to help the brand popularize its electric cars in the country.

Back in August, Tesla said it had received permission to manufacture or import four of its electric car models in India. For now, the company produces its cars at plants in the U.S. and Shanghai, China, and is starting to assemble at a plant in Germany.

Meanwhile, India is also trying to diversify its supply chain away from China because of recent friction caused by military clashes in border regions last year.