Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service has become the center of a political storm in India after IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefly welcomed its entry with a tweet, only to delete it moments later. The tweet, which read “Starlink, welcome to India!” and praised its potential for “remote area railway projects,” raised eyebrows, leading to questions about the government’s true stance on the satellite internet service’s commercial launch in the country.
Vaishnaw’s tweet, though short-lived, has ignited speculation that the Indian government may still be on the fence about granting the necessary regulatory approvals for Starlink. The government’s cautious approach toward satellite-based communications, historically marked by tight regulations, has only deepened the uncertainty surrounding Starlink’s future in India.
Meanwhile, the telecom sector is already positioning itself for Starlink’s arrival. Telecom giants Jio and Airtel have both signed deals with SpaceX, agreeing to retail Starlink’s hardware and provide installation services across the country. The partnerships aim to bring high-speed satellite internet to underserved rural areas, a significant advantage over traditional fiber-optic networks, particularly during adverse weather events.
However, what should have been a business expansion has sparked fierce political debate. Opposition parties, particularly Congress, have raised alarms over national security risks, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of orchestrating these deals to curry favor with U.S. President Joe Biden through Elon Musk.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has questioned the timing of the deals, calling it a clear attempt to appease foreign interests. He emphasized concerns over national security, asking who would control Starlink’s connectivity in times of crisis – the Indian government or Musk’s company. Ramesh also hinted at a larger political strategy, suggesting that the facilitation of Starlink’s entry could be linked to a broader plan for Tesla’s eventual manufacturing presence in India.
With regulatory approvals still pending, the future of Starlink in India hangs in the balance, and the political implications of its arrival remain unclear. What happens next could not only shape the country’s internet landscape but also have significant consequences for India’s foreign relations and tech collaborations.
