In the course of his US trip, Indian PM Narendra Modi had a meeting with Elon Musk, CEO SpaceX and Tesla to discuss expanding technology collaboration between India & The United States.
The Indian ministry of foreign affairs released a statement saying that the Prime Minister and Musk had discussed ways to strengthen collaboration between Indians and Americans in areas such as innovation, space exploration and artificial intelligence.
The report added that “their discussions also covered opportunities for deepening cooperation in the areas of emerging technologies, entrepreneurialism and good governance.”
Reports indicate, despite the lack of details about the agenda for this meeting, that it centered around Starlink and Tesla’s plans to invest in India.
Musk is rumored to want to “do business” in India.
An Economic Times article citing sources claims that PM Modi met with Musk to develop a bilateral roadmap to enhance technology partnerships.
Reports indicate that the meeting was centered around Starlink and Tesla’s plans to invest in India, as well as India’s AI policies.
It said that Musk was believed to have asked for lower tariffs on imported EVs and a license to Starlink, which offers satellite internet in India. He also wanted to expand SpaceX’s cooperation with ISRO.
Starlink’s battle for regulatory authority in India
Starlink, SpaceX satellite internet’s division, is eager to start operations in India.
Musk and the Indian government have both expressed their support for assigning rather than auctioning spectrum.
Starlink’s license is still under scrutiny despite the backing.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was originally expected to complete its spectrum allocation guidelines in December 2024. However, the process is now delayed and it’s unclear when Starlink will be able to launch their services.
Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and other domestic telecom companies have been strongly against allowing Starlink, Amazon Kuiper and foreign satellite firms to enter India, without going through a spectrum auction. They argue that this would place local firms at an unfair disadvantage.
Starlink and other satellite service providers are at risk, as the Indian market is expected to grow by 36% annually. By 2030 it will reach $1.9billion.
Starlink device found in the hands of smugglers raises security concerns
Starlink’s problems in India have intensified after communication devices found in possession of insurgents and drug traffickers.
Authorities in Andaman and Nicobar Island conducted a large operation to seize Starlink terminals that were used by smugglers based in Myanmar for creating Wi-Fi hotspots.
Indian Ministry of Home Affairs & Department of Telecommunications has demanded information on original purchasers of these devices.
Starlink, however, has declined to disclose user data, citing privacy laws.
Last month, a government official confirmed that ET was told by the Ministry of Home Affairs to “appropriately” address this issue.
Starlink is in talks with both the DoT (Dot) and MHA to clarify the obstacles Starlink faces in India, while also requesting permission to continue operating in India.
Starlink has been told that the government will not allow it to operate in India unless it’s satisfied with its security measures. This includes how the company plans to control illegal data movements and address the use of devices.
One of the sources who spoke to Reuters told them that Musk was willing to provide assurances about India’s security concerns. This includes storing the data locally.
Starlink devices were also found by insurgents, in addition to drugs smuggling cases in northeastern Manipur.
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