India might soon be getting a taste of super-fast internet even in the most remote places, thanks to Elon Musk’s Starlink. But there's a twist – the launch in India has faced a lot of hurdles so far, and it looks like the next step could depend on a major meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Elon Musk.
Currently, Starlink isn't available in India. Why? There are three big reasons for that. First, there’s fierce competition from Mukesh Ambani’s Jio, which already offers affordable internet services across the country. Second, the Indian army has seized Starlink devices twice, once during a conflict and another time in connection with a drug bust. And third, Starlink is still waiting for approval to launch its services in India, as its license application is still under review.
But there may be something to look forward to. Reports say that PM Modi and Musk are expected to discuss Starlink’s future in India when they meet. A big part of the conversation could focus on how Starlink plans to address security concerns raised by the Indian government, especially when it comes to storing user data locally. Sources say Musk has agreed to these terms, which could be a huge step toward Starlink's entry into the country.
Another factor that could make things interesting is Musk’s close relationship with US President Donald Trump. Now that Musk is more connected than ever to key political figures, he might take a stronger stand on how Starlink operates in India, especially with the Indian government backing his idea that spectrum should be assigned rather than auctioned.
India’s government is not opposed to Musk’s Starlink project; in fact, they seem supportive of it. But, until the license is granted, nothing is set in stone. Musk could also talk about other business ventures during the meeting, including the possibility of expanding Tesla’s presence in India and increasing the sourcing of electric vehicle parts from the country. But there is no confirmation about that.
So, while it’s not certain yet, all signs point to the possibility that India could soon experience Starlink’s high-speed internet.
