Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday revealed that he had a conversation with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, during which the two discussed a wide range of topics — including matters they had previously explored during their meeting in Washington DC earlier this year.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the Prime Minister shared that the dialogue centered on the vast opportunities for cooperation in the fields of technology and innovation, signaling deepening engagement between the Indian government and Musk’s global ventures.
This development coincides with an important phase for Starlink, Musk’s satellite-based internet service provider, which is actively seeking regulatory clearance to begin operations in India.
In an effort to address security concerns and advance its licensing process, senior Starlink executives held high-level discussions with Indian authorities earlier this week.
According to reports, the delegation, led by Starlink Vice President Chad Gibbs and Senior Director Ryan Goodnight, met with India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday, along with top officials from the Department of Telecommunications.
The meeting underscored the government’s keen interest in the satellite broadband sector and its potential role in driving digital inclusion, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Following the meeting, Minister Goyal commented that the conversation had covered Starlink’s cutting-edge technologies, its global and prospective Indian partnerships, as well as the company’s long-term vision for investment and growth in the country.
The meetings also involved an exchange of views on key security and regulatory challenges that have delayed Starlink’s entry into the Indian market.
It is understood that the company addressed concerns flagged by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, which has emphasized the need for robust safeguards to ensure national security.
One of the government’s principal requirements is the establishment of an in-country ground control center for Starlink’s satellite network.
Such infrastructure would enable Indian authorities to restrict or suspend services in specific regions under exceptional circumstances, including times of conflict or public unrest, thereby ensuring control over communication channels in sensitive areas.
In addition to this, security agencies have called for systems that would allow lawful interception of satellite-based communications — a standard compliance expectation for all telecom operators in India — to ensure national laws and security protocols are upheld.
While Starlink has yet to formally commit to these conditions, the high-level engagement by its senior leadership signals a serious intent to navigate India’s regulatory landscape and fine-tune its operational strategy for one of the world’s largest emerging markets.
The company’s licensing application is reportedly in the final stages of government review. Industry sources suggest that Starlink has also been in advanced discussions with major Indian telecom companies — including Reliance Jio and Airtel — to establish local partnerships for marketing, network deployment, and service delivery, laying the groundwork for its anticipated rollout.
With global momentum behind satellite internet services and growing Indian interest in bolstering nationwide digital connectivity, Starlink’s potential entry into the Indian market marks a significant milestone in the country’s tech and telecom ecosystem.