Starlink India Row: Musk Denies Militants Used Satellite Internet
In Short
Elon Musk says Starlink beams are disabled over India, while security concerns continue to delay the company’s commercial launch.
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Elon Musk
The debate over Starlink’s delayed launch in India has taken a fresh turn after Elon Musk rejected claims that the satellite internet service was being used by insurgent groups in the northeast to bypass government-imposed internet shutdowns.
Musk said Starlink’s satellite beams are switched off over India, making it impossible for Starlink terminals to connect to the company’s network within the country. His comments came after an X post highlighted security concerns surrounding the discovery of Starlink equipment in Manipur.
"For a lot of people here, the larger concern is that unlicensed satellite links can also serve armed groups in sensitive border areas, which is why clearances involve more than commercial rivalry," The Modern Himachal said.
An account called DogeDesigner challenged that argument, pointing out that devices cannot connect if Starlink’s beams are disabled in India. Musk backed the claim, saying, "Starlink beams are turned off over India, so the claim that they were used by anyone for any reason is absolutely false."
The issue dates back to 2024, when security forces recovered a Starlink dish and router during operations against an insurgent group in Manipur. Authorities suspected the equipment had been brought from Myanmar, where Starlink is available.
The controversy has returned as Starlink continues to wait for security clearances before beginning commercial operations in India. Musk recently accused unnamed "oligarchs" of blocking the company’s entry into the country.
"Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people," Musk tweeted. "You can guess who they are. This is a crime against the people of India," he further said.
The Indian government has rejected the allegation, maintaining that its rules for satellite communication services are fair and non-discriminatory. Starlink, Jio and OneWeb received satellite communication licences in 2025, but commercial services have yet to fully begin.
At the India Mobile Congress, SpaceX executive Lauren Dreyer said Starlink had created India-specific security measures and would keep Indian user data within the country.
