Compromises National Sovereignty, Security: CPI(M) On Starlink’s India Deals
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly opposed the recent agreements between Jio, Airtel, and Elon Musk’s Starlink, calling them a threat to India’s national sovereignty and security. In a statement, the CPI(M) demanded the government halt the deals, arguing that private allocation of satellite spectrum without a transparent auction violates Indian law.
The party pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the 2G case, which established that spectrum is a scarce national resource that must be allocated through open auctions. It alleged that Jio, Airtel, and Starlink are forming a “cartel” to dominate satellite spectrum usage, which could come at the expense of millions of Indian telecom subscribers.
The CPI(M) also raised serious concerns about the strategic implications of allowing Starlink access to India’s satellite spectrum and orbital slots. The party argued that satellite-based communication is critical for defence, space research, and other national interests. It warned that Starlink’s operations could lead to foreign entities mapping India’s natural resources, collecting commercially valuable data, and potentially compromising sensitive defence information. The statement pointed out that Indian agencies like ISRO already have the capability to manage such operations, making Starlink’s involvement unnecessary and risky.
The CPI(M.) cited global examples to justify its stance, referring to the role of Starlink in Ukraine. The party claimed that U.S. threats to cut off Starlink’s services to the Ukrainian military forced President Zelensky to comply with American demands regarding Ukraine’s natural resources and its diplomatic approach to Russia. Allowing a U.S. company to gain control over such a critical communication infrastructure in India, the party argued, could put the country in a similarly vulnerable position.
The controversy erupted after Airtel and Jio announced their partnerships with SpaceX’s Starlink to expand high-speed broadband access in India. Airtel revealed its collaboration on Tuesday, stating that it would integrate Starlink services into its network to boost rural connectivity. Airtel’s Vice Chairman, Gopal Vittal, called the deal a “significant milestone” for India’s digital expansion. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell also endorsed the partnership, stating that Starlink’s collaboration with Airtel would help bridge India’s digital divide.
The following day, Jio announced a similar agreement, pending regulatory approvals. Jio plans to distribute Starlink services through its retail outlets and integrate the technology with its existing broadband solutions, JioFiber and JioAirFiber. Jio’s Group CEO, Mathew Oommen, described the deal as a “transformative milestone” in ensuring internet access for every Indian, particularly those in remote areas.
The deals have also attracted criticism from Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who questioned the speed at which Airtel and Jio overcame their earlier objections to Starlink’s entry. He alleged that the partnerships were “orchestrated” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to gain goodwill with Elon Musk and, by extension, former U.S. President Donald Trump. Ramesh raised national security concerns, asking whether Starlink or its Indian partners would control access to the network. He also suggested that Starlink’s fast-tracked entry might be linked to potential Tesla manufacturing deals in India.
As regulatory approvals for Starlink remain pending, the CPI(M.)’s objections add to the growing political scrutiny over these agreements.
