The Central government has strongly objected to satellite internet company Starlink signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and Letters of Intent (LoIs) with several State governments before actually obtaining the licence required to operate in India. Senior Starlink officials have reportedly been told in no uncertain terms that these agreements cannot move forward without the necessary regulatory approvals in place.
Which States Signed Agreements, and When
Over the past year, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Meghalaya have all entered into agreements with Starlink for satellite-based internet connectivity. Maharashtra was the first to move, signing a Letter of Intent in November 2025, with the State government framing the collaboration as a way to connect government institutions, rural communities, and critical public infrastructure in remote, underserved areas.
Gujarat followed in February 2026, exchanging an LoI aimed at improving connectivity in remote, border, and underserved parts of the State. Meghalaya signed its own MoU with Starlink India in April 2026, intended to extend connectivity to schools, healthcare centres, and rural communities where conventional telecom infrastructure has limited reach.
Everything on Hold Until Central Approval Comes Through
According to government sources, the Centre has now directed all of these States to pause ongoing discussions and proposed projects with Starlink until the company secures the required approvals. The government has also directly questioned how Starlink managed to enter formal agreements with State governments in the first place, without first obtaining the licence needed to operate in India at all. Other States have similarly been cautioned against moving forward with any Starlink-related project without prior Central clearance.
This isn't purely a licensing technicality either. Authorities are also examining the security dimensions of satellite-based communication services, with particular attention on border States and the northeastern region.
Why Border-Area Security Matters Here
The Centre wants satellite internet technology deployed in India only once potential security risks have been properly addressed, with specific focus on sensitive regions where border security and insurgency-related concerns already exist. According to government sources, certain security and technical assurances may need to come from Starlink before approvals are granted, the underlying goal being to ensure satellite communication infrastructure meets security requirements and can't easily be misused.
This matters because satellite connectivity offers something conventional telecom infrastructure can't always guarantee: internet access in remote areas without depending on traditional ground-based networks. That's a genuine advantage for underserved regions, but it also means authorities need to carefully weigh the security implications of operating this kind of network in sensitive, border-adjacent locations.
Starlink's Parallel Push for Regulatory Approval
Separately, reports indicate Starlink has reapplied to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the country's regulatory body overseeing private-sector space activity, seeking authorisation for its Gen 2 satellite constellation. This next-generation constellation is expected to operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), at altitudes of roughly 340 to 615 kilometres.
Starlink has continued to emphasise the potential of satellite internet to connect rural and underserved parts of India, particularly regions where conventional telecom infrastructure is difficult or expensive to build out. Even so, the company still needs to complete India's full regulatory and security approval process before it can begin commercial operations here.
The Core Takeaway
The Centre's latest move makes one thing unambiguous: agreements signed at the State level don't, by themselves, grant Starlink permission to actually provide services in India. For any foreign company navigating this kind of complex, multi-layered regulatory landscape, cases like this highlight exactly why proper business advisory support matters early on, understanding central licensing requirements before entering State-level agreements can save significant time, cost, and public friction down the line. Starlink will need to secure the necessary Central approvals before any of these preliminary agreements can move toward actual implementation.
FAQs
Q1. Why has the Centre objected to Starlink's State-level agreements?
Because Starlink signed MoUs and LoIs with several State governments before obtaining the licence required to operate in India, agreements the Centre says cannot proceed without proper regulatory approval.
Q2. Which States have signed agreements with Starlink so far?
Maharashtra (November 2025), Gujarat (February 2026), and Meghalaya (April 2026), along with Goa.
Q3. What security concerns has the government raised?
Concerns focused on border States and the northeastern region, where authorities want assurance that satellite communication infrastructure meets security requirements and can't be easily misused.
Q4. What regulatory step is Starlink currently pursuing?
It has reapplied to IN-SPACe for authorisation of its Gen 2 satellite constellation, which is expected to operate in Low Earth Orbit at altitudes of about 340 to 615 kilometres.