Congress says deal signed under Modi's pressure, Starlink-Jio Airtel deal in controversy

 

 

Delhi: Satellite-based internet service provider Elon Musk's Starlink is in a controversy over its signing of deals with two of India's leading mobile companies, Airtel and Reliance Jio. The Congress has alleged that those who have opposed Starlink so far have hastily signed deals due to pressure from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav deleted a tweet welcoming Starlink to India following the controversy.

As US President Donald Trump's tariff threat against India continues, Elon Musk's Starlink has been given in-principle permission to enter India. The fact that the country's leading telecom companies, Jio and Airtel, have signed deals with Starlink within 24 hours has shocked the industry.

It was assessed that the arrival of Starlink would be a big threat to the companies that had acquired the spectrum through the auction by spending crores. Two companies that had opposed Starlink's arrival in India for so long were suddenly ready to sign the agreement. Neither the government nor the companies have responded to the question of why this is the case. The Congress has alleged that the Prime Minister is behind the agreement. The Congress has also alleged that this is a ploy to appease Trump, who continues to threaten tariffs.