Starlink says India talks remain active, rejects report of approval freeze over security concerns

Elon Musk's Starlink said on Wednesday it remained in "active and productive discussions" with the Indian government and had received encouraging feedback from authorities, pushing back against a media report that New Delhi had effectively frozen approvals for the satellite internet service over security concerns.

Lauren Dreyer, vice president of Starlink Business Operations, said in a post on X that the company was working through all required regulatory and compliance processes in a "transparent and responsible manner" and remained committed to launching services in India soon.

"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.

The statement came after Bloomberg News reported that India's security agencies had withheld final clearances needed for Starlink to begin commercial operations, citing concerns over the alleged use of Starlink terminals during the Iran conflict.

According to the report, security agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs have not granted the final approvals required for Starlink's launch.

The report said concerns had intensified following reports that Starlink terminals were used in the West Asia conflict despite the service not being licensed in Iran.

Bloomberg said Indian officials were seeking assurances on how the US-owned satellite operator would comply with India's security requirements during geopolitical tensions and whether it could guarantee adherence to local regulations if faced with competing demands from foreign governments.

Starlink denied any suggestion that its engagement with Indian authorities had stalled, saying it had worked closely with the government through all regulatory processes.

The company said it had established a "bespoke deployment model" tailored to India's 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," Dreyer said.

“We remain fully committed to India and to working with the Government to bring Starlink’s services very soon to the country,” she added.

India represents one of the world's largest untapped broadband markets and is seen as a key growth opportunity for Starlink, which has been seeking approval to offer satellite-based internet services in the country.