Former Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has called for patience from Elon Musk regarding the delayed approval for Starlink's satellite internet service in India. Chandrasekhar emphasized that national security concerns are paramount, leading to a meticulous verification process for all satellite communication licensees.
Security Verification Prioritizes National Safety
Chandrasekhar highlighted that all three major satellite communication (satcom) providers — Starlink, Reliance Jio's Jio Satcom, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb — are currently undergoing similar stages of security verification. He stressed that establishing safety and trust is a prerequisite before any spectrum allocation can occur for these services.
Concerns Over Satellite IP Services
The former minister articulated significant security implications associated with satellite internet protocol (IP) services, particularly for a country like India. He referenced past incidents, such as the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and recent attacks in Pahalgam, where satellite communication was allegedly used by terrorists. Chandrasekhar also pointed to additional challenges posed by satellite-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services and advanced encryption.
“These are not insurmountable, but new capabilities and capacity have to be built to ensure safety and trust,” Chandrasekhar stated, acknowledging the need for enhanced technical and institutional capabilities to manage these risks.
Balancing Innovation with National Interests
While praising Starlink's technology as an impressive innovation representing a new era in mobility, Chandrasekhar underlined that national interests must guide the adoption of new services. He affirmed that India is prioritizing its security framework under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which operates on principles of openness, safety and trust, and accountability in the technology and telecom sectors.
This framework ensures free and fair competition, secure infrastructure, and legal accountability for all participants. The government maintains that all satellite communication companies are subject to the same regulatory and security requirements, rejecting allegations that domestic business interests are impeding Starlink's entry.
Path Forward for Starlink in India
Starlink's potential entry could significantly boost internet connectivity in India's remote and underserved areas. However, the company must fully comply with all applicable regulatory and security processes before it can commence commercial operations in the country. The Indian government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring secure and trusted communication infrastructure for its citizens.