Stories
Rajeev Chandrasekhar Shows Elon Musk a Mirror on Starlink and National Security
- •Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded to Elon Musk regarding Starlink's entry into India, stating that national security takes precedence over technological shine.
- •Chandrasekhar highlighted that terrorists have historically used satellite communication during major attacks like 26/11 in Mumbai and the recent Pahalgam incident.
- •He emphasized that India's technology sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi operates on three strict principles: open market, safe and trusted system, and accountability.
- •Chandrasekhar noted that all three satellite communication licensees in India are undergoing mandatory security clearances before any spectrum allocation.
- •He advised patience, stating that evaluating security risks and ensuring accountability are absolute necessities for India before adopting new technologies.
Key Questions Answered
Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized that national security takes precedence over technological shine, noting that satellite communication (satcom) has historically been the preferred medium for terrorists during attacks like the 26/11 Mumbai siege and the Pahalgam incident, making rigorous safety checks essential before approving services like Starlink.
India's modern technology and telecom sector operates on three key principles: maintaining an open market to prevent monopolies, ensuring safe and trusted digital infrastructure and networks, and enforcing strict legal accountability for every entity operating within the sector.
All three satellite communication (satcom) licensees in India are currently at approximately the same stage in the security clearance process, undergoing rigorous trust and security checks by the home ministry and security agencies before any spectrum allocation or final commercial approval moves forward.
