India Gives Green Light to Starlink: Scindia Confirms Satellite Internet Rollout Plans After Meeting SpaceX Leadership

New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s digital infrastructure ambitions, the Government of India has officially granted a license to Elon Musk’s satellite internet firm Starlink, allowing it to begin operations in the country. The development was confirmed by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia following a high-level meeting with SpaceX President and COO, Gwynne Shotwell, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Scindia, taking to social media platform X, hailed the meeting as a forward-looking step in expanding the country’s digital horizon. “Had a productive discussion with Ms. Gwynne Shotwell on the transformative potential of satellite internet in India. She welcomed the license approval for Starlink and expressed strong interest in partnering on the mission to connect every corner of the nation,” he wrote.

Starlink, a satellite broadband initiative by Musk’s aerospace firm SpaceX, delivers high-speed internet using a constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. With this license, it becomes the third satellite broadband provider to be cleared by India’s Department of Telecommunications, after Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications. A fourth player, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, is still awaiting regulatory approval.

The entry of Starlink is expected to significantly strengthen rural and remote connectivity, addressing digital inequality in underserved areas. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Digital India’ initiative, the push for satellite internet has taken center stage as a way to leapfrog traditional infrastructure limitations.

Industry analysts note that Starlink’s arrival could reshape India’s telecom ecosystem, especially since telecom giants like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have already announced strategic tie-ups with SpaceX for satellite services. These two operators currently hold over 70% of India’s mobile and broadband market.