PM Modi Set to Meet Elon Musk to Discuss Starlink's India Launch: Report

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during his visit to the U.S. to meet President Donald Trump. While the specifics of their discussion remain unclear, Modi shared on X that they talked about various topics, including space, mobility, technology, and innovation—areas that Musk is particularly passionate about.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, in New York, USA, Tuesday. File photo | Photo Credit: PTI

Recently, Trump appointed Musk to lead the newly established U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Modi and Musk previously met in New York in 2023, during which Musk stated that he was “confident that Tesla will be in India ... as soon as humanly possible.”

Musk aims to expand Starlink in India

Musk, who has previously referred to himself as a “fan of Modi,” has long sought to introduce his Starlink satellite internet service to the Indian market. However, its launch has been delayed due to regulatory hurdles, security concerns, and resistance from domestic telecom giants, including Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio.

In November, India’s telecom minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, stated that Starlink had yet to comply with security regulations, and a license for satellite communication services would only be granted once all requirements were met.

Musk had earlier criticized India’s policy of allocating spectrum for satellite services through auctions. Subsequently, the Indian government revised its policy, opting to assign satellite spectrum rather than auction it.

India possesses significant, untapped potential in satellite broadband

India's satellite broadband market is highly competitive, dominated by at least six major players, with Reliance Jio, led by Ambani, at the forefront.

Beyond regulatory hurdles, Musk’s Starlink has also encountered opposition from Reliance Jio, which argued last year that auctioning spectrum for satellite services is essential to maintaining fair competition.

Currently, Starlink operates at least 6,900 satellites, delivering low-latency broadband to approximately 4.6 million users worldwide. However, its high pricing could pose a challenge in entering the Indian market.

India has some of the lowest mobile data costs globally, with Reliance Jio even offering free data in its early mobile plans. Despite this, over 40% of the country’s 1.4 billion people remain without internet access. Affordable satellite broadband is crucial to closing this gap, especially in India's vast remote and mountainous regions.

Musk's Tesla vehicles have yet to launch in the Indian market

Tesla, led by Elon Musk, has long sought entry into India, one of the world's largest automobile markets, but has encountered challenges due to steep import duties on foreign vehicles.

Additionally, India's electric vehicle (EV) market remains in its early stages, accounting for just over 2% of total car sales last year. However, the government aims to boost EV adoption, targeting a 30% market share by 2030.

Recently, India introduced a new policy offering concessional tariffs on fully imported EVs, provided foreign automakers commit to establishing local manufacturing.

(This Article was originally published by AP News)