Elon Musk’s Starlink gets India nod after security assurances, intense lobbying

Starlink logo. Image Source: Unsplash

Elon Musk’s Starlink has secured a long-awaited Letter of Intent (LoI) from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), paving the way for the launch of its satellite internet services in the country. 

The clearance follows months of negotiations, aggressive lobbying by the company, and Starlink’s acceptance of stringent national security protocols mandated by the Indian government.

The approval comes after Starlink—SpaceX’s satellite internet arm—agreed to adhere to 29 strict security conditions, including real-time tracking of user terminals, local data processing mandates, legal interception capabilities, and the localisation of at least 20 per cent of its ground infrastructure within the initial operational years. 

The agreement signals a major breakthrough for the company in one of the world's largest internet markets.

Musk’s team reportedly engaged in extensive behind-the-scenes lobbying, emphasising Starlink’s utility in enhancing digital inclusion across remote Indian regions. The billionaire had initially planned a high-profile visit to India in 2024, which was deferred amid bureaucratic delays and unresolved regulatory hurdles. 

Sources suggest Musk may now visit India later this year to announce major partnerships and expansion plans.

While Starlink accepted the bulk of the DoT’s demands, two contentious proposals—mandatory Indian majority ownership and a ban on terminal deployment near international borders—were ultimately shelved. 

Officials said the conditions conflicted with India’s existing foreign direct investment (FDI) and telecom regulations, which currently permit 100 per cent FDI in the sector.

Starlink’s strategic value was further highlighted by its instrumental role in maintaining internet connectivity during the Russia-Ukraine war, a point Musk’s team reportedly underscored in communications with Indian authorities. 

Its constellation of over 7,000 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites—set to exceed 40,000 in the future—enables low-latency, high-speed internet services even in disaster zones and conflict areas, capabilities seen as valuable in a country with challenging geographies and growing strategic concerns.

The approval coincided with Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strikes following the Pahalgam massacre. However, DoT officials emphasised that the timing of Starlink’s clearance was unrelated to these military developments.

Starlink is now expected to begin pilot operations in select rural and remote regions, potentially reshaping India’s digital connectivity landscape.