Starlink's Troubles in India

Elon Musk has confirmed that Starlink satellite internet services are currently inactive in India, marking his first public statement following the seizure of two of the company's devices in the country. One device was confiscated during a search operation in an armed conflict zone, while the other was found in connection to a drug smuggling bust.

Starlink, owned by Musk, is seeking approval to provide satellite broadband services in India and is addressing potential security concerns as part of the approval process. Musk stated on X that "Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India" and were "never on in the first place." His comment came in response to a post from the Indian Army regarding a search operation in Manipur state, where a communal conflict has been ongoing.

According to anonymous military officers familiar with the search operation, the Starlink device was being used by a militant group and was likely smuggled through the porous border with Myanmar. This follows an earlier incident where Indian police demanded purchase details of a Starlink device found with smugglers carrying a large methamphetamine haul, suspected of using the device for navigation.