X, formerly known as Twitter, in July 2022 sought to overturn government orders to remove some content from its platform. A court in June 2023 quashed that request and imposed a fine of 5 million rupees ($60,560).

X has now appealed against that decision, arguing in a 96-page filing that the government “will be emboldened to issue more blocking orders” that violate law. The filing, which was dated Aug. 1 but has not been posted publicly, was submitted by local law firm Poovayya & Co at the Karnataka High Court.

The original lawsuit predates X’s ownership by billionaire Elon Musk, who is also pursuing a number of business enterprises in India.

The Tesla chief executive is discussing an investment proposal to set up a factory there making electric vehicles, and is seeking market entry for his satellite broadband firm SpaceX.

X said in the filing there must be “discernible parameters” on what mandates the blocking of an entire account instead of a specific post. Otherwise the government’s “power to censor future content is untrammeled”.

Court hearings are typically held within several days after a filing is submitted.

The company in previous years has been asked by Indian authorities to act on content including accounts deemed supportive of an independent Sikh state, posts alleged to have spread misinformation about protests by farmers, and tweets critical of the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This move is a significant step towards positioning India as a global manufacturing hub, with Tesla’s investment expected to bring in thousands of jobs and boost the country’s economy. The Modi government has been actively pursuing policies to attract foreign investment to India, and the news of Tesla’s plans will be seen as a major win for the country.

Tesla has been eyeing the Indian market for some time, but high import duties and other regulatory hurdles have made it difficult for the company to expand its operations in the country. However, with the Indian government’s push towards electric vehicles and renewable energy, the timing now seems right for Tesla to make its move.

India had expressed interest in having Tesla manufacture vehicles locally, but the company stated that it preferred to export its cars to the country first to gauge the demand. However, Tesla has recently changed its stance and held discussions in May with Indian officials regarding incentives offered by the government for its cars and battery manufacturing.

The company’s entry into the Indian market is expected to shake up the country’s auto industry, which is already undergoing a major transformation as it shifts towards electric vehicles. Tesla’s reputation for innovation and cutting-edge technology is likely to attract a lot of interest from Indian consumers, particularly those who are environmentally conscious.

The move is also a significant boost for India’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and tackle climate change. The Indian government has set a target of achieving 30% electric vehicle adoption by 2030, and Tesla’s entry into the market is likely to accelerate this transition.

Overall, the news of Tesla’s plans to set up a factory in India is a major development for the country’s economy and its efforts to become a global manufacturing hub. With discussions already underway with the Indian government, it seems likely that Tesla will soon be a major player in the Indian auto industry.