Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Scindia Defends India’s Starlink Licensing Policy Amid Political Row
India is working out rules for satellite internet companies.
Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said three companies already have licences.
The government still has to decide how spectrum charges will work.
Companies must also meet security conditions before they can start operating.
Elon Musk said Starlink’s efforts to enter India were “troubling.”
He said Starlink had not secured a licence despite complying with Indian requirements for five years.
Rahul Gandhi replied to Musk on X with a message welcoming him to India.
Scindia criticised Congress, saying the government’s policy was clear.
The disagreement is about Starlink’s entry and the licensing process.
Jyotiraditya Scindia said three companies had been granted licences to provide satellite internet services.
He said spectrum would be assigned on a revenue-sharing basis after the government finalises the framework.
Scindia said each licensee must meet security conditions before beginning operations.
Elon Musk called Starlink’s efforts to enter India “troubling,” while alleging it had been unable to secure a licence despite complying with requirements for five years.
Rahul Gandhi welcomed Musk to India on X and wrote, “Wait till you discover the other guy”; Scindia criticised Congress’s stance.
- Who
- Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
- What
- Scindia defended the government’s satellite internet licensing policy and criticised Congress amid debate over Starlink’s efforts to enter India.
- When
- Friday; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, at the 10th Edition of India Mobile Congress 2026.
- Why
- The remarks followed Musk’s criticism of Starlink’s licensing situation and Gandhi’s response on X.
Criticism of Starlink’s entry process
Government’s stated licensing position
Starlink’s licensing situation
Criticism of Starlink’s entry process
Musk described the situation as troubling and said Starlink had been unable to secure a licence despite complying with Indian laws and requirements for five years.
Government’s stated licensing position
Scindia said three companies had licences and that spectrum would be assigned after the government settled the revenue-based framework; companies must also meet security conditions before operating.
Congress’s stance
Criticism of Starlink’s entry process
Gandhi responded to Musk’s criticism with a message welcoming him to India and alluding to “the other guy.”
Government’s stated licensing position
Scindia said Congress lacked clarity on the licensing issue and maintained that the government’s position was clear.
- Licensed companies
- Scindia said three companies had been granted licences.
- Spectrum allocation
- Spectrum will be assigned on a revenue-sharing basis after the government decides the framework.
- Security requirement
- Each licensee must meet security conditions before beginning operations.
- Event
- Scindia spoke at the 10th Edition of India Mobile Congress 2026.
- Musk’s claim
- Musk said Starlink had been unable to secure a licence despite complying with Indian laws and requirements for five years.
- Social media exchange
- Gandhi welcomed Musk to India on X; Musk replied that the situation was troubling.
