Elon Musk-led Starlink has said it remains in active discussions with the Indian government and has received encouraging feedback regarding its plans to launch satellite internet services in the country.
The clarification comes amid reports suggesting that approvals for Starlink's commercial operations in India had been effectively put on hold.
Starlink rejects claims of a freeze
Per a report by Hindustan Times, Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations, said the company continues to engage with Indian authorities and denied reports that its approval process had stalled.
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"Starlink remains in active and productive discussions with the Government of India, contrary to misleading stories based upon unsubstantiated claims from anonymous sources. We have worked with the Government through all of the required regulatory and compliance processes in a transparent and responsible manner," Dreyer said on social media platform X.
She added that discussions with the government have focused on how Starlink's technology could support India's connectivity goals.
"We have heard nothing but encouraging feedback on Starlink's capabilities and its potential to advance India's connectivity ambitions, especially in remote and underserved regions. We remain fully committed to India and to working with the Government to bring Starlink's services very soon to the country," she added.
Starlink remains in active and productive discussions with the Government of India contrary to misleading stories based upon unsubstantiated claims from anonymous sources.
— Lauren Dreyer (@LaurenDreyer) June 9, 2026
We have worked with the Government through all of the required regulatory and compliance processes in a… https://t.co/BQdcDHmPaf
What is delaying Starlink's India launch?
Starlink has applied for a licence to offer satellite communication services in India. While the government has already issued a letter of intent, the final licence is still awaited.
The company's statement followed a Bloomberg report that cited sources claiming India had effectively frozen approvals for Starlink. According to the report, concerns were raised over the use of Starlink satellite terminals during the Iran conflict.
Dreyer also highlighted the company's efforts to meet local requirements.
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"To align with India's sovereign technology, regulatory and security requirements, Starlink has set up a bespoke deployment model for India that further demonstrates our commitment to working within India's strategic framework," she added.
Starlink is connecting more than 12M active customers with high-speed internet across 160+ countries, territories and many other markets.
— Starlink (@Starlink) June 4, 2026
Thank you to all our customers around the world! 🛰️🌎❤️ → https://t.co/9VghjFeG1P pic.twitter.com/urpWSKXrFT
Competition and SpaceX's growth plans
India has already granted licences to Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SGS (Space Technology Ltd), both of which are now awaiting spectrum allocation before launching services.
Starlink's progress in India is being closely watched as SpaceX prepares for a potential IPO. According to Bloomberg, the company is targeting a valuation of around $1.75 trillion, with Starlink expected to play a key role in its future revenue growth.
FAQs:
Has Starlink received final approval to operate in India?
No. Starlink has received a letter of intent but is still awaiting its final licence.
What did Starlink say about reports of an approval freeze?
The company said it remains in active and productive discussions with the Indian government and rejected claims that approvals had been frozen.
