The Crossbill News Desk
Congress General Secretary (in-charge of Communications) Jairam Ramesh has raised concerns over the recent partnerships between telecom giants Airtel and Reliance Jio with Elon Musk's Starlink, alleging that the deals were orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to gain favour with US President Donald Trump through Musk.
Airtel and Reliance Jio have announced agreements to market Starlink’s satellite internet in India, pending regulatory approvals. The partnerships aim to enhance network coverage, particularly in rural and remote areas with limited connectivity.
Taking to X, Ramesh remarked, "Within literally 12 hours both Airtel and Jio have announced partnerships with Starlink, seemingly overcoming all their objections to its entry into India - which they have been voicing for quite some time. It is abundantly clear that these partnerships have been orchestrated by none other than the PM himself to buy goodwill with President Trump through Starlink's owner Mr. Elon Musk.”
Ramesh also raised national security concerns, questioning who would have the authority to control connectivity in critical situations—Starlink or its Indian partners. He further questioned whether other satellite-based internet providers would be granted similar access to India’s market.
"But many questions remain. Perhaps the most important one relates to national security. Who will have the power to switch connectivity on or off when national security demands it? Will it be Starlink or its Indian partners? Will other satellite-based connectivity providers also be permitted and on what basis?" Ramesh asked.
Additionally, he speculated whether Starlink’s entry was tied to Tesla’s manufacturing plans in India, hinting at possible undisclosed commitments.
"And, of course, the much larger question of Tesla manufacturing in India remains. Is there some commitment to it now that Starlink's entry into India has been facilitated?" he further questioned.
The sudden shift in stance by Airtel and Jio marks a departure from their earlier opposition to Starlink’s entry. Previously, the two telecom giants had pushed for stringent licensing and spectrum pricing rules for satellite-based internet providers.
Last year, Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel clashed with Starlink over regulatory issues, aligning with Mukesh Ambani’s Jio in calling for satellite operators to pay license fees and purchase spectrum, akin to traditional telecom firms. At the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, Mittal had backed Jio’s stance that satellite companies should be subject to the same regulatory framework as telecom operators.
However, this time, Mittal welcomed the partnerships, calling them a major step toward global connectivity. He emphasized that collaborations between telecom and satellite firms would enable seamless communication, even in remote locations, over oceans, and in the skies.
Mittal also recalled his long-standing advocacy for industry-wide cooperation, citing his call at MWC 2017 in Barcelona for reducing international roaming charges, which eventually led to more affordable mobile usage for travellers.
Airtel and Reliance Jio have announced agreements to market Starlink’s satellite internet in India, pending regulatory approvals. The partnerships aim to enhance network coverage, particularly in rural and remote areas with limited connectivity.
Taking to X, Ramesh remarked, "Within literally 12 hours both Airtel and Jio have announced partnerships with Starlink, seemingly overcoming all their objections to its entry into India - which they have been voicing for quite some time. It is abundantly clear that these partnerships have been orchestrated by none other than the PM himself to buy goodwill with President Trump through Starlink's owner Mr. Elon Musk.”
Ramesh also raised national security concerns, questioning who would have the authority to control connectivity in critical situations—Starlink or its Indian partners. He further questioned whether other satellite-based internet providers would be granted similar access to India’s market.
"But many questions remain. Perhaps the most important one relates to national security. Who will have the power to switch connectivity on or off when national security demands it? Will it be Starlink or its Indian partners? Will other satellite-based connectivity providers also be permitted and on what basis?" Ramesh asked.
Additionally, he speculated whether Starlink’s entry was tied to Tesla’s manufacturing plans in India, hinting at possible undisclosed commitments.
Within literally 12 hours both Airtel and Jio have announced partnerships with Starlink, seemingly overcoming all their objections to its entry into India - which they have been voicing for quite some time.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 13, 2025
It is abundantly clear that these partnerships have been orchestrated by…
"And, of course, the much larger question of Tesla manufacturing in India remains. Is there some commitment to it now that Starlink's entry into India has been facilitated?" he further questioned.
The sudden shift in stance by Airtel and Jio marks a departure from their earlier opposition to Starlink’s entry. Previously, the two telecom giants had pushed for stringent licensing and spectrum pricing rules for satellite-based internet providers.
Last year, Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel clashed with Starlink over regulatory issues, aligning with Mukesh Ambani’s Jio in calling for satellite operators to pay license fees and purchase spectrum, akin to traditional telecom firms. At the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, Mittal had backed Jio’s stance that satellite companies should be subject to the same regulatory framework as telecom operators.
However, this time, Mittal welcomed the partnerships, calling them a major step toward global connectivity. He emphasized that collaborations between telecom and satellite firms would enable seamless communication, even in remote locations, over oceans, and in the skies.
Mittal also recalled his long-standing advocacy for industry-wide cooperation, citing his call at MWC 2017 in Barcelona for reducing international roaming charges, which eventually led to more affordable mobile usage for travellers.
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