"Beams turned off over India": Elon Musk refutes claim that Starlink was used by insurgent groups
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk refutes claims that Starlink terminals were used by militants near the Manipur border, stating satellite beams are turned off in India.
Elon Musk has hit back at allegations that Starlink satellite internet terminals were being utilized by insurgent groups in India, categorically denying the claims by stating that the service is currently inactive within the country's borders.
The SpaceX CEO addressed the controversy on social media, clarifying that because the satellite beams are deactivated over the Indian territory, it is technically impossible for the devices to function there for any purpose.
"Absolutely False" Claims Regarding Militants
The denial came in response to reports suggesting that Indian security forces had recovered Starlink terminals from militant groups operating along the Myanmar border near Manipur. The rumors sparked significant debate regarding the potential misuse of satellite technology in sensitive border regions.
Musk took to his platform, X, to set the record straight. "Starlink beams are turned off over India, so the claim that they were used by anyone for any reason is absolutely false," Musk posted.
This technical clarification was echoed by digital analysts who noted that without active satellite beams, no Starlink device could establish a connection within the country, rendering the reports of insurgent usage "nonsensical."
The Battle for Connectivity: Musk vs. "Oligarchs"
While addressing the security concerns, Musk also pivoted to the ongoing struggle to launch Starlink's commercial services in India. The billionaire entrepreneur has been vocal about the regulatory hurdles facing his company, accusing powerful domestic players of stifling competition.
Musk claimed that Starlink is being intentionally obstructed by "oligarchs" who wish to maintain a "monopolistic chokehold" on the Indian internet market. "This is a crime against the people of India," he added, suggesting that the delay in service is harming the country's digital progress.
The Digital Divide in Rural India
The debate comes at a critical time for India's digital infrastructure. Recent data highlights a massive gap between urban and rural connectivity:
- As of May 2026, over 11,000 listed villages in India still lacked 4G coverage.
- While India has over 1 billion internet subscriptions, only a fraction of these are in rural areas.
- Rural subscription density stands at roughly 48 per 100 people, compared to 126 in urban centers.
- Only about 4.26% of India's internet connections are wired, leaving much of the country reliant on mobile networks.
Potential Impact of Starlink in India
Proponents of the satellite service argue that Starlink could be a game-changer for India's most isolated regions, including mountains, islands, and disaster-prone areas. The technology offers several key benefits:
- Remote Access: Providing high-speed broadband to schools and clinics in areas where laying fiber-optic cables is geographically impossible.
- Disaster Management: Portable terminals can provide instant backup connectivity during floods, earthquakes, or storms when ground networks fail.
- Direct-to-Cell: Future capabilities could allow standard 4G phones to connect to satellites, expanding coverage far beyond the reach of traditional towers.
As SpaceX continues to push for regulatory clearances and spectrum allocation, the company maintains that its goal is to support India's vision of 100 per cent connectivity. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2026, Starlink officials confirmed they have already developed India-specific security controls to ensure compliance and safety.