The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), an economic nationalist organization affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to block SpaceX’s Starlink from entering the Indian telecommunications market. The group argues that allowing the satellite-based internet provider to operate could pose significant risks to India’s national security and economic sovereignty.

In its appeal, the SJM emphasized the need to protect domestic service providers from foreign competition. The organization suggests that the entry of a global entity like Starlink could undermine local infrastructure and create dependencies on foreign technology. While the SJM has been vocal about its opposition, the Indian government has not yet issued a formal response to the request, nor has SpaceX provided a public rebuttal to these specific claims.

This development highlights the ongoing tension between India’s push for digital expansion and the protectionist stance of groups that prioritize indigenous economic models. The debate centers on whether the benefits of high-speed satellite connectivity in remote areas outweigh the potential security and economic risks identified by the SJM. As of now, the regulatory status of Starlink in India remains under review by the Department of Telecommunications, with no final decision on the granting of licenses.