Chandigarh, October 12
India should approve Starlink and other licensed satellite broadband operators within a fixed timeframe, subject to enforceable Indian conditions and a level playing field, instead of leaving their applications under indefinite review. This is the central recommendation of “Starlink and India: A Policy Framework,” a policy paper authored by KBS Sidhu, former Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Punjab.
Sidhu has submitted the paper to Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan, urging the Centre to adopt a time-bound and coordinated approach to satellite broadband approvals.
Since the decision involves four separate authorities, the paper recommends that a Committee of Secretaries process pending approvals simultaneously and complete the security assessments of all three licensed operators, Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES, within a publicly announced timeframe, such as 90 days.
“The choice is not between admitting Starlink and keeping it out,” Sidhu said. “It is between admitting it on terms India sets and can enforce, and delaying it indefinitely while smuggled, unregistered terminals fill the vacuum.”
Lessons from Ten Countries
The policy paper examines how ten countries have approached Starlink and identifies three broad models.
- Clear conditions established early: Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam secured services through enforceable regulatory conditions.
- Open-ended regulatory review: South Africa faced years of delay before progress in December 2025, while Pakistan continues to remain without Starlink services.
- Risks of operational dependence: Ukraine’s experience highlights the dangers of relying on a foreign satellite operator without adequate contractual safeguards.
According to the paper, India’s approach should prioritise clear regulations, enforceable security requirements and a defined approval schedule.
Security Safeguards Must Be Enforceable
The paper recommends treating the Department of Telecommunications’ security conditions issued in May 2025 as a minimum baseline rather than the final limit of regulatory safeguards.
These conditions cover the establishment of gateways in India, interception capabilities, terminal registration, real-time location tracking and monitoring zones along international borders.
The paper proposes four additional safeguards:
- Sovereign override: A binding clause ensuring that directions issued by the Government of India concerning Indian territory take precedence over conflicting instructions from a foreign entity.
- Independent geo-fencing tests: Indian authorities should independently verify the effectiveness of geographical restrictions imposed on satellite services.
- Resident Indian security officer: Each operator should appoint a security officer based in India to ensure compliance with Indian requirements.
- Protection against unilateral service withdrawal: Operators should provide contractual guarantees against unilateral termination of services, backed by a performance bank guarantee.
“Security comes from enforceable conditions applied equally to every operator, not from delay,” Sidhu said.
Foreign Investment Approval with Conditions
The paper recommends granting foreign investment approval through the government route, subject to clearly defined obligations.
These include establishing an Indian operating entity, manufacturing user terminals locally within a fixed timeframe under the production-linked incentive framework, and meeting universal-service obligations.
Under the proposed universal-service framework, satellite operators would be required to connect schools, primary health centres and panchayat offices in aspirational and border districts. The proposal draws on South Africa’s equity-equivalent approach.
The paper argues that such conditions would help India attract investment while strengthening domestic manufacturing, expanding digital access and ensuring that commercial benefits support public-interest objectives.
Strengthening India’s Strategic Independence
The policy framework cautions against placing defence and critical government communications entirely under the control of any single foreign satellite constellation.
It calls for funding the development of an indigenous Indian low-Earth-orbit satellite capability to strengthen the country’s long-term strategic autonomy.
Ahead of commercial launches, the paper also proposes authorising government-controlled satellite terminals for the National and State Disaster Response Forces and district administrations.
Such an arrangement could improve emergency communications during natural disasters and other crises, when conventional telecommunications infrastructure may be damaged or unavailable.
Satellite Broadband Vital for Remote and Border Areas
The paper points out that 11,256 villages lacked 4G coverage as of May 2026.
Satellite broadband could provide a practical connectivity solution for remote Himalayan and northeastern hill districts, islands, desert regions and border areas. It could also play a critical role during floods, cyclones and conflict, when terrestrial communication networks face disruptions.
The proposed framework seeks to ensure that satellite connectivity becomes a reliable part of India’s digital infrastructure while safeguarding national security and strategic interests.
One Rulebook for All Licensed Operators
The paper advocates equal regulatory treatment for every licensed satellite broadband operator, including Amazon’s Kuiper once it receives the necessary licences.
It proposes a common regulatory framework featuring one rulebook, one spectrum pricing structure and one approval timetable for all eligible operators.
To improve transparency and accountability, the paper also recommends publishing a status table showing the progress of pending approvals and conducting an independent review of the policy framework after three years.
Four Authorities Must Coordinate Approvals
The paper identifies four authorities whose decisions need to be coordinated to ensure timely approvals:
- Ministry of Home Affairs: Security clearance.
- Department of Telecommunications and Union Cabinet: Spectrum-related approvals.
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): Foreign investment approval.
- Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe): Space-related authorisation.
The paper concludes that a coordinated, time-bound approval mechanism, backed by robust security safeguards and equal treatment of operators, would help India expand satellite broadband access without compromising national security or strategic autonomy
