Starlink’s India Entry Sees Mixed Signals Amid Telecom Deals and Govt Hurdles

New Delhi- Union Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday briefly welcomed Elon Musk’s Starlink to India, only to delete his message an hour later, adding intrigue to the satellite internet provider’s path into the Indian market.

In a post on X, Vaishnaw, who also holds the railway portfolio, wrote, “Starlink, welcome to India! Will be useful for remote area railway projects.” The post was swiftly deleted, raising questions about the government’s stance as Starlink awaits official authorisation to operate in the country.

Meanwhile, India’s telecom giants, Airtel and Jio, announced partnerships with SpaceX to offer Starlink’s satellite-based broadband services — contingent on regulatory approval. Airtel’s Managing Director Gopal Vittal called the move a “significant milestone,” while Reliance Jio CEO Mathew Oommen described it as a “transformative step” towards digital inclusion.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell expressed optimism, saying the company was eager to work with Indian partners once approvals were secured. However, Starlink’s journey into India has been rocky. Since 2022, Airtel and Jio have pushed for satellite operators to undergo spectrum auctions and pay licence fees, a demand Musk previously called “unprecedented.”

As the government weighs its decision, the back-and-forth signals a complex road ahead for Starlink’s Indian ambitions.