Influential Hindu group urges India to block Starlink amid Musk-Ambani feud
SPCX•Swadeshi Jagran Manch urged India’s government to block Starlink, citing national security concerns. Starlink and satellite ventures backed by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are awaiting final clearances in a market with more than a billion internet subscribers.
1. Group calls for a ban
Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, urged the Indian government to block Starlink from launching satellite internet services, citing national security concerns. The group also linked its demand to possible high U.S. tariffs on Indian imports. Its national co-convenor, Ashwani Mahajan, said India would be within its rights to block Starlink over what he called genuine security concerns.
2. Clearances under review
India’s communications ministry said security assessments were under way for Starlink and satellite ventures backed by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. The ministry described claims that the approval process was unfair or discriminatory as “baseless and misconceived.” Starlink has been seeking to launch in India for four years, and Elon Musk accused the government and Mukesh Ambani of stalling its entry to favour Reliance Jio. Mahajan said Starlink’s technology could make it difficult to restrict internet services during security emergencies and keep Indian internet traffic on domestic infrastructure.
