Why India Might Block Starlink: National Security Concerns Take Center Stage
Concerns Over Starlink's Entry into India
New Delhi: The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), an organization linked to the RSS, has called on the Indian government to deny Starlink permission to launch its commercial satellite broadband services in the country. This request follows recent controversial remarks made by Elon Musk, the company's owner, regarding industrialist Mukesh Ambani and the Indian government.
Musk intensified his criticism of Ambani over the weekend, sharing media screenshots that suggested a Reliance-funded entity was involved in enhancing the BJP's social media campaigns and making significant political donations to the ruling party.
Earlier, Musk referred to Ambani as 'Prime Minister Ambani' on social media, accusing him of maintaining a monopoly and criticizing the delays in Starlink's service launch in India.
While Reliance has not publicly addressed Musk's claims, the government insists that its telecom and satellite service authorization framework is equitable and non-discriminatory, dismissing any allegations of selective enforcement as unfounded.
SJM's national co-convenor, Ashwani Mahajan, stated that India has the right to refuse Starlink's application if it does not adequately address national security issues.
Mahajan emphasized that blocking Starlink would signal to international trade partners, particularly the US, that India prioritizes its national security concerns.
He condemned Musk's comments, noting that Starlink's application for a commercial license remains pending, and has not been outright rejected.
It is regrettable that Musk has opted to make allegations against Indian businesses and the government instead of addressing the national security clarifications requested from his company, Mahajan remarked.
He suggested that Starlink might be trying to exert public pressure on the government to secure its license or that Musk's statements stem from frustration with regulatory hurdles.
Mahajan pointed out that internet services often need to be suspended to maintain order during separatist activities, terrorism, riots, and protests.
India is currently facing various law-and-order challenges, and social media can exacerbate rumors and anti-national sentiments. Thus, internet disruptions are sometimes necessary to uphold public order during such events.
He also raised alarms about Starlink's satellite-to-satellite laser links, which could allow Indian internet traffic to bypass domestic gateways and complicate lawful monitoring.
The government prefers that Indian internet traffic is routed through local gateways, he added.
Mahajan expressed concerns that satellite internet could be exploited by hostile entities, smugglers, and insurgents to communicate outside conventional telecom networks.
He cited experiences from various countries, including Ukraine, Iran, and China, to support SJM's apprehensions regarding Starlink's security risks.
Drawing a comparison with India's 5G rollout, Mahajan noted that SJM had previously opposed the involvement of Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE in trials due to security concerns.
Following SJM's objections, neither Huawei nor ZTE were allowed to conduct trials, leading to the successful development of India's own 5G technology, known as 5Gi.
Mahajan concluded that Starlink's inability to secure a license would not hinder India from offering satellite-based internet services.
If Starlink fails to obtain a license due to unresolved national security issues, it does not imply that India cannot provide satellite internet services. Even with a slight delay in launching domestic services, India could offer more affordable options than Starlink while ensuring national security.
He suggested that blocking Starlink on security grounds could enhance the growth of indigenous satellite internet services and improve connectivity in remote regions.