Musk’s Starlink Denies Report Of India Approval Freeze

NEW DELHI – Elon Musk-led Starlink has dismissed reports that India has frozen approvals for its satellite internet services, stating that the company remains engaged in “active and productive discussions” with the government and continues to receive encouraging feedback on its plans for the country.

The clarification from Starlink Business Operations Vice President Lauren Dreyer follows a media report claiming that New Delhi had put the company’s commercial launch on hold over concerns related to the use of its satellite terminals in the Iran conflict.

“Starlink remains in active and productive discussions with the Government of India contrary to misleading stories based upon unsubstantiated claims from anonymous sources,” Dreyer said in a post on the social media platform X.

Dreyer emphasized that the company has worked through all required regulatory and compliance processes in a transparent and responsible manner. According to the executive, Starlink has developed a bespoke deployment model specifically for India to align with the country’s sovereign technology, regulatory, and security requirements.

“We have heard nothing but encouraging feedback on Starlink’s capabilities and its potential to advance India’s connectivity ambitions, especially in remote and underserved regions,” she added.

While Starlink has already been granted the license to provide satellite-based broadband in India, final clearances to begin commercial operations are still awaited.

The development comes at a sensitive time for parent company SpaceX, which is reportedly preparing for what could be the largest initial public offering in history, with a planned Nasdaq listing valuing the company at approximately $1.75 trillion. (IANS)