Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on 9 October publicly responded to billionaire Elon Musk on social media platform X, defending India's security clearance process for satellite communication services and asserting that national security must take precedence over the speed of technology adoption. His post comes amid an ongoing debate over clearances for satellite-based Internet services, including Musk's Starlink, in India.

Why Patience Is 'A Necessity'

Chandrasekhar, who described himself as someone with experience in both building India's wireless sector as an entrepreneur and shaping telecom policy, argued that the country must assess new technologies through the lens of its own interests. 'A country has to plan for itself and its interests before every new choice. That's what India is doing. Patience is unavoidable and in this case is a necessity,' he wrote.

He also clarified that he is no longer in government and was not speaking on its behalf, framing his remarks as a personal perspective informed by deep sectoral knowledge.

All Three Providers At Same Stage

Chandrasekhar noted that all three satellite communication service providers seeking to operate in India were broadly at the same stage in the security clearance process — an implicit signal that the delay was not targeted at any single company. Safety and trust, he said, had to be verified before spectrum could be allocated.

The Security Case: From 26/11 to Pahalgam

The former minister flagged specific security concerns around satellite Internet services, pointing to India's experience with terrorism and insurgency supported by hostile actors in its neighbourhood. 'From 26/11 terror attacks to recent ones in Pahalgam, satcom has been preferred communication for terrorists,' he said. He added that satellite-based voice-over-Internet services and encryption presented additional challenges — ones he described as 'not insurmountable' but requiring new capabilities and capacity.

Three Pillars of India's Tech Policy

Chandrasekhar outlined what he described as the three guiding principles of India's technology sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi: openness (free and fair competition, no monopoly or duopoly), safety and trust (verified infrastructure and platforms), and accountability (legal accountability for every participant). He said these principles applied equally to satellite communications.

Chandrasekhar's Take on Starlink

Despite the pointed policy defence, Chandrasekhar acknowledged Starlink's technological merit. 'I have used Starlink and I think it's awesome technology and represents a new era in mobility innovation. No doubt,' he wrote. The remark underscores that India's hesitation is rooted in regulatory process rather than a rejection of the technology itself. The broader question of when satellite broadband will be cleared for commercial rollout in India remains open, with regulatory and security agencies continuing their review.