Raghav Chadha Proposes Retaliation Against US Tariffs by Stalling Elon Musk's Starlink
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Synopsis
In response to the US imposing a 26% tariff on Indian exports, AAP MP Raghav Chadha has urged the Indian government to retaliate by withholding approvals for Elon Musk’s Starlink, advocating for its use as leverage to renegotiate the Trump tariffs.
Key Takeaways
- Raghav Chadha calls for withholding Starlink approvals.
- US tariffs threaten Indian economic stability.
- Importance of data sharing from Starlink questioned.
- Concerns over corporate influence on governments.
- Alleged misuse of Starlink by criminal organizations.
New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) In response to the US implementing a reciprocal tariff of 26 percent on Indian exports, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday advocated for a robust retaliatory measure from the Indian government. He proposed withholding essential approvals for Elon Musk’s Starlink as a strategic bargaining tool to renegotiate the “Trump Tariffs”.
During a session in the House with the Union Minister for Communications, Chadha accused the US of undermining India’s trust and disrespecting their bilateral friendship by imposing these tariffs.
“We have shown unwavering loyalty, yet the Trump Administration has inflicted tariffs that threaten to devastate the Indian economy,” he stated, reciting a Hindi couplet about betrayal in friendship.
He also highlighted the tax incentives extended to US firms like Google and Meta by the Indian government, showcasing India’s amicable stance towards the US, while lamenting that in exchange, ‘our nation faced a 26 percent reciprocal tariff’.
Chadha emphasized, “Shouldn’t the Indian government consider withholding the necessary approvals for Elon Musk’s Starlink to leverage this situation in efforts to renegotiate the Trump Tariffs?”
He further critiqued Starlink by questioning the government’s position on the company’s refusal to share data.
“Given that Starlink has declined to provide essential data to Indian authorities, citing data privacy laws, how does the Indian government intend to address this resistance from Elon Musk’s Starlink regarding data sharing and potential misuse?” he queried.
Chadha indirectly referenced US corporations allegedly coercing governments worldwide, citing Musk’s threats to withdraw services from Ukraine, which put immense pressure on the country’s defensive capabilities.
He also mentioned the suspected misuse of Starlink’s navigation satellites by a drug syndicate in Myanmar, uncovered during a bust in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and noted Starlink’s refusal to provide information about the equipment under the pretext of privacy.
The AAP Rajya Sabha MP questioned how the government plans to tackle the alleged misuse of satellite internet spectrum, especially concerning Starlink.
