Elon Musk Denies Starlink Was Used by Militants to Bypass Internet Shutdowns in India
Elon Musk has rejected claims that Starlink was used by insurgent groups in Manipur to bypass internet shutdowns, saying the satellite service's beams remain switched off over India amid a delay in its commercial launch.
Elon Musk has rejected claims that Starlink was being used by insurgent groups in India's northeast to bypass internet shutdowns, saying the satellite service's beams are switched off over the country.
The clarification comes as Starlink's planned commercial launch in India remains stuck amid pending security clearances. The issue gained fresh attention after reports resurfaced about Starlink equipment being seized from an insurgent group in Manipur in 2024.
Musk responded to the claims on X, stating that Starlink's beams are turned off over India and therefore the suggestion that the service was being used in the country was false. The presence of Starlink hardware in India, however, does not necessarily mean the equipment can officially access the company's network.
Security concerns have been a key issue surrounding Starlink's India launch. In 2024, security forces recovered a Starlink dish and router during operations in Manipur, along with arms and ammunition. Authorities had indicated that the equipment may have been smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar, where Starlink operates.
The controversy has resurfaced after Musk criticised the delay in Starlink's India launch, alleging that unnamed interests were maintaining a "monopolistic chokehold" over the market. The Indian government rejected the allegation and said the regulatory framework for satellite communication services was fair and non-discriminatory.
Starlink received a satellite communication licence in India in 2025, alongside Jio and OneWeb, but commercial operations have yet to begin. SpaceX has said it has developed India-specific security measures and plans to keep Indian user data within the country.
