Tesla arriving in India was nothing short of a monumental feat in the country’s automotive landscape. Ever since Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, cut open the ribbon of Tesla’s first showroom in India at the Bandra Kurla Complex, the Internet has gone into a frenzy, flooded with reactions from all corners of the nation.

From common people to noted industrialists, many have voiced their opinions about the American EV giant finally landing in India after years of planning, discussions, and negotiations. While some netizens were excited and thrilled with the prospect of Tesla running on Indian roads, others were left wanting for various reasons. Here’s a few of the reactions that caught our way on X (formerly Twitter).

Tesla welcomed in India with open arms

A large section of the online population was positive about Tesla setting shop in India. An X user named Sanatanii tagging Fadnavis said, “Tesla’s arrival in India is a landmark moment. Maharashtra government under CM Fadnavis welcomed this move, highlighting Mumbai’s strength as India’s financial capital and a global business hub. India will embrace Tesla with open arms.”

Tesla’s arrival in India is a landmark moment.
Maharashtra government under CM Fadnavis welcomed this move, highlighting Mumbai’s strength as India’s financial capital and a global business hub.
India will embrace Tesla with open arms.@Dev_Fadnavis pic.twitter.com/kNmqnzaKNj

— Sanatanii (@Sanatanii_) July 15, 2025

Tesla’s entry to India also evoked reaction from Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra, who is being seen as a direct counterpart to Elon Musk in India. Taking to his X account, Mahindra welcomed Musk and Tesla to India saying, “One of the world’s largest EV opportunities just got more exciting. Competition drives innovation, and there’s plenty of road ahead. Looking forward to seeing you at the charging station.”

Welcome to India, @elonmusk and @Tesla.

One of the world’s largest EV opportunities just got more exciting.

Competition drives innovation, and there’s plenty of road ahead.

Looking forward to seeing you at the charging station. pic.twitter.com/7Uh2ziV0fp

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 15, 2025

The corporate world was also optimistic about TeslaWant to buy the Tesla Model Y? Here’s what you’re actually paying starting business in India. EY, one of the Big Four accounting firms, was hopeful that Tesla’s entry in India would bring in more investments for EV infrastructure. In an official statement, Vinay Raghunath, Partner, Automotive and Mobility Sector Leader, EY India said, “Tesla’s entry into the Indian market does mark a milestone in the country’s electric mobility journey.” 

He added, “While its initial impact may be more symbolic, it will undoubtedly elevate consumer awareness, spark greater interest in EVs and set new benchmarks in connected and autonomous mobility. This move will also encourage OEMs and ecosystem players to step up innovation and accelerate investments in EV infrastructure and technology.” 

Tesla’s entry sparks meme fest

While some were excited with Tesla’s latest development, a major section of the online crowd was sceptical and outright disappointed, especially with the prices announced for Model Y, the company’s first product launched in India.

Anish Gawande, National Spokesperson of NCP, in an interview with Times Now boldly claimed “Mahindra and other EV makers in India are putting out far superior products at far lower price points”. He said that Tesla might only become a status symbol in India for the influential.

Tesla abhi jhaanki hai, Mahindra ab baaki hai!

Putting hopes on @anandmahindra and crew to give us more along the lines of XEV 9e and the BE 6 that are not just assembled in India, but truly #MadeinIndia. Because we cannot -and should not- be reduced to a “screwdriver economy”! https://t.co/0I830AbpWC

— Anish Gawande (@anishgawande) July 15, 2025

Echoing similar sentiments, X user Tech Swami (Aman Nayyar) said, “Rs 60 lakh and a 500 km range. Mahindra, Tata, Hyundai, etc – these brands are better suited for us… and please don’t cry about self-driving features. This is India, you’re not safe even when you’re driving manually. You think you can trust self-driving?”

The internet was flooded with memes ridiculing the idea of Tesla coming to India with its highly advanced autonomous cars in India. X user Pakchikpak Raja Babu shared a clip from a Hindi movie showing two people driving a destroyed car, with the caption, “Coming back after riding Tesla on self-driving mode in India.”

As of now, Tesla has only launched the Model Y in India which is available in two variants: Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The former is priced at Rs 59.89 lakh while the latter is available at Rs 67.89 lakh (both ex-showroom). The next model in line is expected to be Model 3 which is likely to launch in a few months time.

US President Donald Trump has signalled ongoing progress towards a trade deal with India, declaring confidently, “We’re going to have access into India”, even as the details remain under negotiation.

Speaking on Tuesday, Donald Trump credited his administration’s tariff measures for opening markets previously closed to American businesses, emphasising, “You have to understand, we had no access into any of these countries. Our people couldn’t go in. And now we’re getting access because of what we’re doing with the tariffs.”

While a deal between New Delhi and Washington remains to be finalised, Trump drew parallels to the recently announced agreement with Indonesia, where the US will face zero tariffs on exports, and Indonesia will impose a reduced tariff rate of 19 per cent.

On the Indonesia agreement, Trump said, “So we made a deal with Indonesia. I spoke to their really great president, very popular, very strong, and smart. And we made the deal. We have full access to Indonesia… As you know, Indonesia is very strong in copper. But we have full access to everything. We will pay no tariffs.”

Donald Trump added, “So they are giving us access into Indonesia, which we never had. That’s probably the biggest part of the deal. And the other part is that they are going to pay 19 per cent, and we are going to pay nothing. I think it’s a good deal for both parties.” The agreement was described as “finalised” on Trump’s Truth Social platform, though Indonesia had yet to make a public statement.

While US-India trade talks continue with negotiations intensifying ahead of deadlines, India remains the largest US trading partner facing reciprocal tariffs, with discussions focusing on expanding market access and tariff reductions on goods estimated between $150 billion and $200 billion in bilateral trade. 

According to media reports, India and the US aim to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, but talks are stalled over dairy imports. India refuses American dairy, citing cultural concerns, and seeks stringent certification for imports, emphasising the protection of its dairy industry and small-scale farmers.

India has clearly called it a “non-negotiable red line” to safeguard its citizens and is seeking a stringent certification that assures imported milk comes from cows not fed animal-based products such as meat or blood.

Published 15 July 2025, 22:53 IST

NEW DELHI: The Indian Embassy in Iran issued a fresh advisory on late Tuesday, urging Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to the country, citing recent security-related developments. The advisory, posted late evening on the embassy’s official handle on X, also asked those already in Iran to remain vigilant and consider returning using available commercial and ferry services.“In view of the security-related developments over the past several weeks, Indian nationals are advised to carefully consider the evolving situation before undertaking non-essential travel to Iran,” the embassy wrote.“They are also advised to continue to monitor the latest regional developments and follow updated advisories issued by the Indian authorities. Indian nationals already in Iran, and interested in leaving, may avail the commercial flight and ferry options which are available right now.”The warning comes amid heightened tensions in the region following a series of military escalations involving Israel, Iran, and the United States. Last month, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites including Natanz and Fordow. That was followed by Operation Midnight Hammer on June 22, when the US struck multiple Iranian facilities. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel and a US base in Qatar. Later, US President Trump announced a ceasefire, ending the 12-day-long conflict.During the days of conflict, the Indian Embassy had cautioned Indian nationals in Iran to avoid unnecessary movement and follow safety protocols following the regional flare-up. That advisory had come in the wake of multiple explosions and reports of casualties at strategic Iranian locations.Adding to the concerns, the US state department last week launched a public awareness campaign warning Americans, especially those with Iranian heritage, against travel to Iran. US spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the Iranian regime routinely denies consular access to dual nationals and stressed that “it is not safe to travel to Iran,” despite the cessation of bombing.Meanwhile, Indian authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely. The embassy has urged Indian citizens in Iran to stay connected via its social media platforms and to remain updated through official advisories.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on Wednesday that countries such as Brazil, China and India could be hit very hard by secondary sanctions if they continued to do business with Russia.

Rutte made the comment while meeting with senators in the U.S. Congress the day after President Donald Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine and threatened “biting” secondary tariffs of 100% on the buyers of Russian exports unless there is a peace deal in 50 days. These secondary tariffs come into play as Trump tries to leverage sanctions to force Putin to agree to peace with Ukraine.

As per Reuters, a White House official in Washington said Trump intends to impose “100% tariffs on Russia” and secondary sanctions on other countries that buy oil from Russia if a peace deal is not struck in 50 days.

“We can do secondary,” Trump said. “We’re probably talking about 100 per cent or something like that. We can do secondary tariffs without the Senate, without the House, but what they’re crafting also could be very good,” the US President added.

Reports by Reuters further indicate that eighty-five of the 100 U.S. senators are currently in the process of co-sponsoring a bill that would give Trump the authority to impose 500% tariffs on any country that helps Russia.

This warning from NATO’s Secretary General comes a day after his meeting with Trump, where the US president announced the decision to supply ‘sophisticated’ new weapons for Ukraine, which will include Patriot missiles that experts speculate to be crucial for Ukraine’s air defences.

Yesterday, in an interview with the BBC, Trump further expressed his disappointment in Putin over his peacemaking efforts, stating, “I am disappointed with him (Putin), but I’m not done with him. “We’ll have a great conversation. I’ll say: ‘That’s good, I’ll think we’re close to getting it done,’ and then he’ll knock down a building in Kyiv,”  he added. 

Russia’s reaction

Responding to Trump’s comments, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated, “Russia is ready to negotiate after U.S. President Donald Trump, but ultimatums are unacceptable and will not bring any results.”

Former  Russian President and deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, also commented on the matter, stating that Moscow does not care about Trump’s “theatrical ultimatum”, further stating that such ultimatums were ‘pointless’ in nature.

Potential disruption for India

Presently, China, India and Turkey remain the biggest buyers of crude from Russia and could stand to face repercussions of Trump’s tariffs if the US president follows through on his claims.

(With Inputs from Reuters)

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned to Earth after an 18-day journey aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. But his touchdown will translate into a big takeoff — India’s indigenous human spaceflight programme. Shukla’s safe splashdown off the California coast marked more than just the end of a pioneering spaceflight; it symbolized a new chapter for India’s ambitions in space exploration. Shukla’s mission represents the country’s first human presence aboard the ISS and serves as a vital stepping stone toward Gaganyaan, India’s mission to send people into space using its own technology. His experience offers both practical insight and symbolic momentum to a nation on the brink of joining the elite club of spacefaring powers with crewed capabilities.

What Shukla achieved on the Axiom-4 mission
As the pilot of the Axiom-4 mission, Shubhanshu Shukla played a critical role in operating SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, including its launch, docking, undocking, and re-entry. His position made him the first Indian military pilot to execute real-time operations aboard a commercial spacecraft alongside a veteran like Peggy Whitson. This exposure to both the technical and psychological challenges of space travel was critical for an astronaut preparing for India’s future crewed missions.
In orbit, Shukla was actively involved in over 60 scientific experiments, a significant portion of which were India-led. These included studies on plant growth using Indian staples like moong and methi, analysis of cyanobacteria and microalgae for sustainable life-support systems, and experiments involving tardigrades to understand biological resilience in space. Other research explored muscle atrophy, diabetes monitoring, and the physiological effects of prolonged screen exposure in microgravity. These experiments were not abstract exercises. They provide essential insights into the design of life-support and medical systems for long-duration missions, key for India’s ambitions in independent space habitation.
Perhaps more subtly, Shukla also contributed to outreach and education. He interacted remotely with Indian schoolchildren and researchers, offering a glimpse into life aboard the ISS. From daily routines to adapting to life without conventional bathing and handling hygiene through wipes, his lived experience in microgravity offers ISRO a real-world dataset on human adaptation beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Also Read | Axiom 4 mission: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla ‘Shux’ returns to Earth as Grace splashes down in Pacific

Strategic impact on India’s space ecosystem
The Axiom-4 mission is far from a standalone achievement. It has directly enhanced India’s technical readiness for human spaceflight. Shukla’s mission provided ISRO with hands-on feedback on spacecraft systems integration, ground communication protocols, and emergency response procedures, all critical components for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. The scientific outcomes of his experiments will influence not only mission design but also academic and industrial research within India. From universities to biotech startups, many domestic players were involved in conceptualizing and building the payloads for Axiom-4. This collaborative structure lays the groundwork for a robust space-tech ecosystem within the country.Equally important is the human resource development angle. Shukla’s training regimen, which included simulations, quarantine protocols and rigorous health monitoring, serves as a model for preparing future Indian astronauts. It also underscores the physiological and psychological benchmarks ISRO must meet in its astronaut selection and training processes for Gaganyaan.Beyond technology and science, Shukla’s participation strengthens India’s space diplomacy. The Axiom-4 mission, executed in partnership with NASA and SpaceX, situates India firmly in global commercial and scientific space efforts. This enhances ISRO’s credibility as a partner in multinational missions and opens up avenues for joint research and investment.

Also Read | PM Modi welcomes Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as Dragon returns to Earth

Gaganyaan: The next giant leap
India’s Gaganyaan programme, for which Shukla and three others have been selected, is designed to send a crew of three astronauts into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for up to seven days using an indigenously developed launch system and crew module. With its first uncrewed test flights scheduled for 2025 and a human flight targeted for 2027, Gaganyaan will make India the fourth nation — after the United States, Russia and China — to independently send humans into space.

Technologically, Gaganyaan represents a significant leap. It requires a human-rated launch vehicle, advanced re-entry systems and life-support mechanisms that India is developing from the ground up. It also demands complex ground infrastructure, ranging from astronaut training facilities to mission control networks capable of handling the nuances of human spaceflight.

But Gaganyaan is more than a technical challenge. It is a strategic national goal that will elevate India’s global standing, drive research in advanced materials and bio-sciences, and serve as a catalyst for broader participation in lunar and interplanetary exploration. It also inspires a new generation of scientists and engineers by placing human spaceflight within the nation’s grasp.

Why Shukla’s mission is a turning point
The importance of Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation in Axiom-4 goes far beyond the symbolic. It marks India’s entry into the practical realities of living and working in space. His training and mission execution create a reference framework for ISRO as it prepares for human flight. The scientific results he helped gather will refine space medicine, agriculture, and life-support technologies. Economically, the mission — backed by Rs 550 crore in investment — has already sparked interest and growth in India’s nascent space start-up sector. Strategically, it sends a clear message: India is no longer an emerging participant in human spaceflight but an active contributor shaping its future.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful journey aboard Axiom-4 marks a significant inflection point in India’s space history. It merges symbolic achievement with functional progress, demonstrating both capability and intent. As India moves closer to launching its own astronauts aboard its own spacecraft, Shukla’s experience offers a blueprint as well as a boost.

New Delhi:

India has achieved remarkable success at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025, held in Dubai from July 5 to 14, securing a total of four medals. All four participants have returned with two gold medals and two silver medals, garnering international recognition.

Who are the winners?

The gold medal winners from India are Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, and Sandeep Kuchi from Hyderabad, Telangana. The silver medals were awarded to Debadatta Priyadarshi from Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, and Ujjwal Kesari from New Delhi, according to a press statement.

India ranks sixth, an increase in gold proportion

The competition witnessed the participation of 354 students from 90 countries, including five observer nations. India ranked sixth in the overall medal tally, along with countries such as Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Israel. This marks India’s 26th appearance in the IChO. Historically, India has achieved 30% gold, 53% silver, and 17% bronze medals. Notably, there has been an increase in higher-tier achievements over the last 10 editions of the event, with 38% gold and 58% silver medals.

The Indian team was trained by a dedicated team of academic experts. Prof. Ankush Gupta from Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai,  under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). HBCE serves as the nodal centre for the selection and participation of students for international Olympiads across multiple subjects, including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, and Astrophysics.