‘These partnerships have been orchestrated by… PM’: Congress questions Starlink entry into India
Following announcements by Bharti Airtel and Jio Platforms, the Congress raised concerns related to national security over the entry of Elon Musk’s Starlink in India.
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Airtel and Jio have inked pacts to introduce Starlink in India. (Photo: Reuters)Raising national security concerns over the entry of Elon Musk’s Starlink in India, the Congress on Thursday said that it is “abundantly” clear that these partnerships have been orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi “to buy goodwill” with US President Donald Trump through the billionaire businessman.
The statement comes a day after Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, said it has signed a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink’s internet services to India. Close rival Bharti Airtel had announced a similar deal on Tuesday. Similar to Airtel, this deal is contingent upon SpaceX receiving its own authorisations to sell Starlink in India.
In a statement, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, general secretary in charge for communications, said: “Within literally 12 hours both Airtel and Jio have announced partnerships with Starlink, seemingly overcoming all their objections to its entry into India – which they have been voicing for quite some time.”
“It is abundantly clear that these partnerships have been orchestrated by none other than the PM himself to buy goodwill with President Trump through Starlink’s owner Mr. Elon Musk,” Ramesh added.
He said the most important question is related to national security. “Who will have the power to switch connectivity on or off when national security demands it? Will it be Starlink or its Indian partners? Will other satellite-based connectivity providers also be permitted and on what basis?” asked Ramesh.
“And, of course, the much larger question of Tesla manufacturing in India remains. Is there some commitment to it now that Starlink’s entry into India has been facilitated?” wrote Ramesh.
Jio and SpaceX, so far, had been on the opposite side of the debate on how spectrum for satellite communication should be assigned to companies – with Jio calling for an auction, but SpaceX insisting on the administrative route. The government has decided to go with administrative allocation.
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