As former U.S. President Donald J. Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk exchange increasingly public barbs ahead of the 2024 U.S. election cycle, Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, appears to be advancing on a different front — in India.
Officials familiar with the matter confirmed this week that Starlink, a division of SpaceX, is nearing final approvals to begin offering satellite internet services across India. The proposed rollout would focus primarily on remote and underserved regions, where traditional broadband infrastructure has struggled to reach.
The timing is notable. Mr. Musk’s plans to expand Starlink’s global footprint come as his relationship with Mr. Trump continues to deteriorate. What began as differences on environmental regulation and tax policy has devolved into a war of words on Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), where both men command large and loyal audiences.
Trump, who is once again seeking the Republican presidential nomination, accused Musk earlier this week of being “out of touch with American values,” calling his projects “globalist distractions.” Musk responded in kind, criticizing what he described as a “nostalgic return to outdated nationalism,” and reaffirmed his focus on “future-forward solutions to global problems.”
While the U.S. right appears increasingly fractured, India has emerged as a willing partner in Musk’s space-age ambitions. According to senior officials in the Ministry of Communications, the Indian government is finalizing terms that would allow Starlink to begin operations, pending certain regulatory and security clearances.
If finalized, the agreement would represent a significant step forward in India’s efforts to bridge its rural-urban digital divide.
A Strategic Partnership
Starlink’s model relies on a constellation of low-earth orbit satellites designed to deliver high-speed internet to regions where fiber-optic infrastructure is either limited or entirely absent. In India, this model could serve areas in the northeast, central tribal belts, and Himalayan border states — areas with chronic connectivity gaps.
The development is closely aligned with the Indian government’s long-standing “Digital India” initiative, which aims to expand digital access to the country’s vast and diverse population.
“Starlink’s entry could be transformative,” said a senior official who requested anonymity as talks are ongoing. “We see satellite internet as a complementary infrastructure — not a replacement — for our national broadband plans.”
The potential rollout is also being monitored by India’s defense and internal security establishments, given the strategic implications of satellite-based internet in border areas and conflict-prone zones.
Economic and Political Calculations
Musk’s growing interest in India is seen by some analysts as a strategic recalibration. With regulatory pressures mounting in several Western countries and political uncertainty ahead in the United States, India presents a large, stable, and tech-forward market that is actively courting global investment.
“India is a rare bright spot in today’s fragmented geopolitical landscape,” said Aparna Rao, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. “It’s no surprise that companies like Starlink see it as essential to their long-term global strategy.”
For New Delhi, the partnership offers not only technological benefits but also a chance to signal its openness to foreign investment — particularly from companies that see India not just as a market, but as a strategic ally.
Looking Ahead
Starlink has faced hurdles in India before. In late 2021, the company was forced to refund pre-orders after failing to obtain government licenses. But officials now suggest the climate has changed, with the government more amenable to satellite-based technologies, particularly in light of ongoing border tensions and recent cyclonic disruptions that exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Musk is expected to visit India later this year, where he may meet with senior government leaders and discuss potential investment not only in Starlink, but also in Tesla and energy storage ventures.
Meanwhile, the feud with Mr. Trump shows little sign of abating. But for now, that contest remains largely confined to American politics. In India, Mr. Musk is focused less on ideological battles and more on laying the foundations — literally and figuratively — for a digital future.
Resource: Reuters
