‘To buy goodwill with Trump’: Congress attacks PM Modi over Airtel, Jio-Starlink deals

NEW DELHI: Congress on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of brokering deal between Indian tel cos and Starlink to buy goodwill with US President Trump through owner Elon Musk.
In a social media post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that pact to start Starlink’s satellite internet services in India over came all objections which were being voiced for quite some time.
"Within literally 12 hours both Airtel and Jio have announced partnerships with Starlink, seemingly overcoming all their objections to its entry into India - which they have been voicing for quite some time," Ramesh said.

"It is abundantly clear that these partnerships have been orchestrated by none other than the PM himself to buy goodwill with President Trump through Starlink's owner Mr. Elon Musk," he added.
The Congress leader also raised national security concerns and said, " But many questions remain. Perhaps the most important one relates to national security. Who will have the power to switch connectivity on or off when national security demands it? Will it be Starlink or its Indian partners? Will other satellite-based connectivity providers also be permitted and on what basis?"
And, of course, the much larger question of Tesla manufacturing in India remains. Is there some commitment to it now that Starlink's entry into India has been facilitated?
The remarks came a day after Bharti Airtel and Jio announced a surprise pact with SpaceX to offer Starlink’s satellite internet services in India.
The twin deals essentially turn Elon Musk’s internet service from challenger to ally of India’s powerful domestic wireless carriers, underscoring his growing influence across the globe as US President Donald Trump’s close adviser.
These partnerships aim to leverage Starlink's technology to enhance connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas of India. Here in this article, we understand about its functionality and real-world applications, particularly in remote areas.
Musk’s Starlink has provided communication support in multiple scenarios, including during the war in Ukraine. In Ukraine, Starlink is being used in maintaining communication during the ongoing war, enabling government officials, military personnel, and civilians to stay connected.

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