By Aditya Kalra

NEW DELHI, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Tesla has

selected locations for two showrooms in the Indian cities of New

Delhi and Mumbai, moving closer to its long-delayed plans to

sell its electric cars in the country, sources familiar with the

matter said.

The U.S. carmaker has been hunting for showroom space in

India since late last year in order to start sales in the

world's third biggest auto market, after putting market entry

plans on hold in 2022.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tesla CEO Elon Musk

in the United States last week and discussed issues including

space, mobility and technology.

Tesla has selected space to lease in the Aerocity area near

New Delhi's international airport for a showroom, said two

people familiar with the discussions, who declined to be named

as the matter is private.

The Aerocity area boasts hotels, retail outlets and offices

of global corporations.

In Mumbai, the carmaker has chosen space in the business and

retail hub of Bandra Kurla Complex near the city's airport, the

first person said. Both the Delhi and Mumbai showrooms will be

around 5,000 square feet (464.52 square metres) in size, the

source said.

Opening dates for the outlets have not yet been decided, but

Tesla plans "to sell imported EVs in India ... these deals are

for showrooms, not service centres," the first person said,

adding that Tesla will operate the outlets.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The company also posted job ads this week for 13 mid-level

roles in India, including some store and customer relationship

managers.

Musk has long criticised India for having high import

tariffs of around 100% on EVs. Tesla has repeatedly lobbied to

relax them but has faced opposition from local automakers who

think Tesla's entry could hit their EV plans.

U.S. President Donald Trump last week called out India's

high duty on cars, but agreed with Modi to work towards an early

trade deal and resolve their standoff over tariffs.