India’s government has rejected Elon Musk’s allegations that Starlink faces discriminatory regulatory treatment, calling the claims baseless and misconceived. The Communications Ministry said India’s satellite communication framework is fair, non-discriminatory, aElon Musknd security assessments are underway for all three licensed operators.
The Government of India has rejected allegations by SpaceX Founder and CEO that Starlink is being subjected to discriminatory regulatory treatment in the country, asserting that India has established a fair and non-discriminatory framework for satellite communication services.
The Ministry of Communications on Thursday described Musk’s remarks as “baseless and misconceived” after the billionaire claimed on social media platform X that Starlink was being “blocked by certain oligarchs” in India to protect their alleged “monopolistic chokehold” over the country.
Responding to the allegations, the ministry said the government has created a transparent regulatory framework applicable to all telecommunications services, including satellite-based communication services. It emphasised that the same authorisation and regulatory requirements apply to all eligible operators seeking to provide such services in India.
According to the ministry, telecom licences have been granted to three Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite service providers operating through non-geosynchronous satellite orbit-based satellite communication systems. The government said the licensing process reflects its commitment to enabling satellite communication services while ensuring that regulatory and security requirements are fulfilled.
The ministry further clarified that obtaining a licence does not automatically allow an operator to begin commercial services. Under the terms and conditions of their licences, all operators are required to demonstrate compliance with prescribed security requirements.
“These requirements are aimed at ensuring that the services provided meet various security conditions and protect the safety of users and their data,” the ministry said in its statement.
The government said security assessments are currently underway for all three licensed entities. Once the security assessment process is completed for a particular operator, the entity can proceed to the next regulatory stage, including seeking spectrum assignment for providing satellite communication services.
The ministry stressed that the three licensed entities are currently at broadly the same stage of the regulatory process. It said this position directly contradicts the suggestion that Starlink or any other operator is being singled out or treated unfairly.
“At present, all the three entities are at broadly the same regulatory stage,” the ministry said, adding that the allegation that the regulatory framework or its implementation is unfair or discriminatory is “baseless and misconceived.”
The government’s clarification came a day after Musk criticised the regulatory situation surrounding Starlink’s planned entry into the Indian market. His comments were made as the satellite internet company continued to await final clearances required before it can commercially launch its services in India.
Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity through a network of satellites, including to locations where traditional broadband infrastructure can be difficult to establish. The company has been pursuing regulatory approvals in India as part of its plans to enter the country’s rapidly expanding telecommunications and internet market.
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The latest exchange highlights the regulatory challenges involved in introducing satellite-based communication services in India, where operators must meet licensing, security and spectrum-related requirements before commercial operations can begin.
By stating that all three licensed satellite communication entities are undergoing broadly similar regulatory processes, the government has sought to counter concerns over unequal treatment and reaffirm its position that India’s framework is designed to balance the expansion of satellite connectivity with national security and data protection requirements.
