UKHRUL/IMPHAL: The seizure of Starlink satellite internet equipment from a suspected armed group hideout in Manipur in December 2024 has resurfaced amid the latest public spat between SpaceX chief Elon Musk and the Indian government over the satellite internet service’s entry into the country.
On December 13, 2024, security forces recovered Starlink-branded equipment, including a satellite router, an antenna and cables, alongside arms and ammunition during a search operation at a hideout in Imphal East reportedly belonging to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a valley-based armed group.
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The recovery drew attention to the possible movement of satellite communication equipment across India’s porous border with Myanmar, where Starlink devices have reportedly been used despite the service not being officially available there. Reuters subsequently reported that military officers believed the device seized in Manipur had likely been smuggled from Myanmar.
The incident is relevant again as Musk has intensified his criticism of the regulatory hurdles facing Starlink in India. On October 8, Musk questioned why the company was still awaiting clearance to begin commercial services despite claiming to have complied with Indian laws and requirements.
The Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Communications) has rejected allegations that domestic business interests were obstructing Starlink, maintaining that India’s satellite communication authorisation framework is fair and non-discriminatory. The government has said security assessments are underway for all three licensed satellite communication providers, including Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite venture and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb.
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“Under the terms and conditions of license, every such licensee is required to demonstrate compliance with security conditions. This is aimed at ensuring that services provided meet various security requirements to ensure safety of all users and their data. Security assessment as part of this process is currently under way in respect of all the three licensees. As and when this process is completed for a licensed entity, it may proceed to the next step of seeking assignment of spectrum. At present, all the three entities are at broadly the same regulatory stage. As such, the suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived,” the Ministry of Communicaitons posted in a PIB clarification on October 8 at 9:19 AM.
The Manipur device seizure had earlier prompted Elon Musk to state that Starlink’s satellite beams were switched off over India and had never been active in the first place. “This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India,” Elon Musk responed on X on December 17, 2024.
Ukhrul Times had reported on the seizure in its February 2025 article, Starlink Internet Enters India’s Neighbour Bhutan.
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It may be interesting to note that Starlink has already begun building partnerships in India’s Northeast. In April 2026, the Meghalaya government had signed a Letter of Intent with Starlink India to expand high-speed satellite connectivity to remote and underserved areas of the state. Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma said the technology could help address last-mile connectivity challenges and improve access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities in difficult terrain.
