Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has offered land in India to United States auto manufacturer Tesla Motors for the company to set up a manufacturing unit and boost its South Asia presence. Gadkari visited the San Francisco factory of the electric carmaker on Friday as part of his ongoing trip to the US. He also suggested a joint venture between the company and Indian auto firms that would bring more non-polluting vehicles to the country’s roads.

Gadkari was shown the company’s electric cars, as well commercial vehicles powered by battery. According to an official statement, the land Gadkari offered was near one of India’s major ports. Tesla has said it will consider the offer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too had visited the Tesla factory in 2015 on a trip to the US.