New Delhi says Tesla should produce in India, not import from China

Indian Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said Tesla is welcome to open a manufacturing facility in India to sell its cars and export them.

However, it must not import cars from China for sale on the India market "Making in China and selling here is not a good proposition," Gadkari said during a press conference.

Tesla has been lobbying officials in New Delhi for nearly a year to cut tariffs, which according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk are among the highest in the world. 

However, the company has not revealed a plan to invest in the Indian market, despite imports being counter to Prime Minister Narenda Modi's "Make in India" vision that aims to boost local manufacturing and create more jobs.