India has reportedly withheld final approvals for Starlink’s commercial rollout, citing security concerns after terminals were reportedly used in Iran. Despite clearing Unified License and Global Mobile Satellite authorisations, SpaceX cannot launch, affecting Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio partnerships.
India has effectively blocked Elon Musk's Starlink from launching commercial operations in the country, in a move that few saw coming given how close the approval process appeared to be. According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, security agencies under India's Ministry of Home Affairs have withheld the final clearances Starlink needs to launch, with concerns over the use of its satellite terminals in the Iran war cited as the trigger.
The timing is significant. The setback lands just days before SpaceX is expected to price what could be the largest initial public offering in history. SpaceX eyes a June 12 Nasdaq listing targeting a $1.75 trillion valuation.
Starlink India rollout stalled: The Iran problem
The immediate cause is a specific and uncomfortable allegation. Reports indicate that Starlink terminals were in use during the Middle East conflict despite the service not being licensed in Iran, heightening fears in New Delhi about its ability to control a US-based operator during periods of geopolitical tension.
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