Subramanian Swamy writes to Amit Shah seeking security review and suspension of Starlink approval

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to conduct an urgent security review and suspend Starlink’s approval in India, writing in a detailed five-page letter that national security concerns cannot be ignored for technology advancement, and asking the Home Ministry to take into account the concerns of the Intelligence Bureau and the Union defence, telecom and information technology ministries (https://dailypioneer.com/page1/swamy-writes-to-amit-shah-seeks-security-review-and-suspension-of-starlink-license).

“I am writing to express my serious concern regarding the national security implications arising from the proposed introduction and operation of Starlink’s satellite-based internet services in India. In view of the strategic significance of communications infrastructure and the potential implications of foreign-controlled satellite networks, I urge the Ministry of Home Affairs to undertake an immediate and comprehensive security review and ensure that national security is not compromised in the pursuit of technological advancement or commercial interests,” the former Union law minister wrote.

“Satellite-based internet connectivity has the potential to improve communications, particularly in remote and underserved areas. However, the introduction of such services must be assessed not merely from the standpoint of technological advancement or commercial convenience, but primarily through the lens of national security, sovereignty, strategic autonomy and the protection of sensitive information,” he added.

The paper notes that the Union Government in 2021 granted the first licence to the Elon Musk-led satellite internet company to operate in India; the letter cites foreign control of critical communications infrastructure, the routing and storage of sensitive data, the effectiveness of lawful interception mechanisms, cyber vulnerabilities, and Indian authorities’ ability to issue and enforce directions in national security or public emergency situations (https://dailypioneer.com/page1/swamy-writes-to-amit-shah-seeks-security-review-and-suspension-of-starlink-license).

The intervention lands while the MHA security clearance remains the outstanding layer alongside Department of Telecom licensing: Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said at the India Mobile Congress 2026 that the DoT has issued licences and provisional spectrum to all satcom companies and that “now the issue is pending with MHA for security clearance” — Starlink, Reliance Jio’s Jio Satcom and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb are all licensed but none can begin commercial services until security assessments and spectrum approvals are complete.

It also follows the RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch’s announced Friday protest march against Starlink in New Delhi under the banner of “national security and digital sovereignty” (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-affiliate-sjm-protest-delhi-elon-musk-starlink-national-security-10932334/); the Indian Express reports Musk has publicly criticised India’s regulatory delays and attacked Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, which Reliance rejected. As of Nation Press’s report, the MHA had not publicly responded to Swamy’s letter (https://www.nationpress.com/national/swamy-calls-for-starlink-security-suspension).