Key Points
AAP demands government withhold Starlink approvals
Challenges US reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports
Highlights potential data privacy concerns with Starlink
Criticizes Musk's alleged global corporate interference
Raising a question in the House before Union Minister for Communications, Chadha accused the US of breaking India’s trust and disrespecting its friendship by slapping the tariffs. “We offered unflinching loyalty, but in return, the Trump Administration has imposed the Trump Tariff that could wreck the Indian economy,” he said, narrating a couplet in Hindi on disloyalty in friendship.
He also pointed to tax sops offered to US companies like Google and Meta by the Indian government to highlight its friendly stance towards the US, but said in return, “our country was slapped with a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff.” The MP from Punjab said, “Shouldn’t the Indian government withhold the necessary approvals for Elon Musk’s Starlink to use it as a bargaining chip in order to re-negotiate the Trump Tariffs?”
He targeted Starlink further by seeking the government’s stance on the company’s reluctance to share data. “Given the fact that Starlink refused to share critical data with Indian authorities, citing data privacy laws, how does the government of India plan to deal with such resistance from Elon Musk’s Starlink on data sharing and the potential misuse of Starlink?” he asked.
Indirectly referring to US corporates allegedly browbeating governments across the globe, Chadha highlighted how Musk allegedly threatened the Ukrainians by withdrawing his company’s services and bringing that country’s frontline on its knees. He also pointed to an alleged misuse of Starlink navigation satellites by a Myanmar-based drug syndicate whose operations were revealed in a bust in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, adding that Starlink refused to share details on the equipment on the grounds of privacy.
The AAP RS MP asked the government how it planned to counter the alleged misuse of satellite internet spectrum, particularly by Starlink.
Comments:
Interesting take by Chadha! We do need to stand up for our economic interests. The US can't have it both ways - benefiting from our market while slapping tariffs on our exports. 🇮🇳
While I agree we need to protect Indian interests, withholding Starlink approvals might hurt our own digital infrastructure development. There has to be a better way to negotiate than blocking tech progress.
The data privacy concerns are valid though. If Starlink won't cooperate with Indian authorities, why should we let them operate here? National security comes first! 👏
This seems like an emotional reaction rather than strategic policy. We should focus on building our own tech capabilities instead of playing tit-for-tat games. India needs to think long-term.
Finally someone calling out Musk's double standards! He wants access to our market but won't follow our rules. The Myanmar drug bust example shows why we need transparency. Great points by Chadha!
I'm all for standing up to unfair tariffs, but using Starlink as a bargaining chip might backfire. Many rural areas depend on satellite internet alternatives. We need a more nuanced approach.
