Will the Trump-Musk feud derail Starlink's India plans?
The public spat and deepening tensions between US President Donald Trump and SpaceX chief Elon Musk have started showing an impact on Musk's businesses globally. The rising tensions between Trump and Musk have now raised concerns over a possible impact on Starlink's operations in India.Elon Musk's Starlink is set to become the third licensed satellite internet provider in India, joining Bharti's OneWeb and Reliance Jio as key players in the country's expanding telecom landscape.advertisementOn June 5, at an event in Gwalior, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that the government would soon issue the third license to Starlink, after which spectrum allocation will follow, enabling the rapid rollout of satellite-based telecom services nationwide.
Scindia described Starlink's entry as "a new flower in the telecom bouquet," symbolising the evolution of India's connectivity from fixed-line and mobile to broadband and now satellite solutions.
Starlink is set to become the third licensed satellite internet provider in India. (Photo: Getty)
However, the recent developments in the relationship between the US President and Elon Musk seem to have an immediate impact on the speed of the Starlink project in India.advertisementDiplomatic expert on the US, Sanjeev Srivastav, told India Today that the public spat between Trump and Musk could continue and deepen in the times to come, potentially affecting all business projects owned by Elon Musk across the world, including the Starlink project in India.According to the expert, 'The rift between Trump and Musk, which is an example of 'friends turned foes,' is likely to create hindrances in the Indian initiatives with Elon Musk.'The expert added, 'Elon Musk is a businessman, and the Donald Trump administration's decisions were impacting Musk's business interests, especially due to the aggressive tariff policy that has affected his stakes in many countries, including China.'According to sources, the Government of India is also closely monitoring developments in the USA in view of Elon Musk's business stakes in India.Satellite internet is particularly significant for India's underserved and remote areas, where traditional infrastructure like optical fiber or cell towers is difficult or uneconomical to deploy. Starlink's technology, which operates independently of ground infrastructure, will complement existing telecom networks, offering reliable, high-speed internet to villages, schools, healthcare centers, and businesses in rural and hard-to-reach locations.
US President Donald Trump speaks with Elon Musk (R) before departing the White House. (Photo: AFP)
While Starlink is on the verge of launching its satellite internet services in India, having secured a letter of intent from the Indian government, the relationship between Musk and Trump has deteriorated, with public disputes leading to significant financial repercussions for Musk's companies. Tesla's stock, for instance, experienced a substantial drop following threats from Trump to revoke federal subsidies and contracts. SpaceX, Starlink's parent company, could face similar challenges if federal support is withdrawn.According to the expert, while Starlink's launch in India appears imminent, the unfolding political dynamics between Trump and Musk, coupled with domestic regulatory challenges, could influence the project's trajectory.Must Watch
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