Politics · India · 2 days ago
India says Starlink faces the same security checks as other providers
Elon Musk has accused powerful business interests in India of blocking Starlink, his satellite internet service.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia rejected the claim, saying India does not allow monopolies and treats providers fairly.
Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite venture and Bharti-backed OneWeb have licences, but none has started service.
Scindia said all three are at the same stage of security checks and must meet the requirements individually.
The government is also finalising how providers will pay revenue-based charges.
Musk’s complaints have led to a public exchange with the Indian government and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The companies can begin operations once the charges are finalised and they meet the security requirements.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India does not allow monopolies in any sector, rejecting Elon Musk’s claim that “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink.
Scindia said Starlink, Reliance Jio and Bharti-backed OneWeb had all received satellite communications licences and were at broadly the same regulatory stage.
The companies cannot begin commercial services until they meet security requirements and the revenue-based charges system is finalised.
Scindia said India’s Department of Telecommunications is technology agnostic and customers should be able to choose among services.
Musk has criticised the delay in Starlink’s launch, while the government says the regulatory framework is fair and non-discriminatory.
- Who
- Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia responded to Elon Musk’s claims about Starlink.
- What
- Scindia said India does not allow monopolies and said satellite operators must meet security requirements before starting services.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Where
- India; Scindia spoke at the India Mobile Congress.
- Why
- Musk alleged that “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink’s launch; Scindia said the rules apply fairly and the companies remain subject to regulatory requirements.
Elon Musk
Indian government
Alleged obstruction
Elon Musk
Musk said “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink and maintaining a monopolistic chokehold in India.
Indian government
The government said the claims were baseless and that India’s satcom framework is fair and non-discriminatory.
Starlink’s launch delay
Elon Musk
Musk questioned why Starlink still lacked approval after spending five years complying with Indian rules.
Indian government
Scindia said operators must meet security requirements and that the revenue-based charges system is still being finalised.
Regulatory treatment
Elon Musk
Musk suggested Starlink was being held back while a rival had influence.
Indian government
Scindia said India does not allow monopolies and that the licensed operators were at broadly the same regulatory stage.
For us in the Department of Telecommunications [DoT], we are technology agnostic.
Our job is to be able to provide the bouquet of services to every single customer.
So why still no licence? Is Ambani the real boss of India?
Now let me be very clear, India does not allow monopoly in any sector… even as satcom is concerned, there is not a single licensee that has been chosen.
Musk claimed that “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink in India.
The communications ministry said the satcom framework was fair and non-discriminatory and that the three operators were at broadly the same regulatory stage.
Scindia rejected Musk’s allegations and said India does not allow monopolies.
Scindia said security requirements and finalisation of revenue-based charges remained prerequisites for starting services.
- Minister
- Jyotiraditya Scindia
- Licensed operators
- Starlink, Jio and Bharti-backed OneWeb
- Pending requirement
- Security clearances and finalisation of revenue-based charges
- Other applicant
- Amazon’s Kuiper has expressed interest and is undergoing the licensing process
- Date
- October 9, 2026
Sources
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