India freezes Starlink approvals over security concerns

India has effectively frozen final regulatory approvals for SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to begin commercial operations, according to people familiar with the matter. Security agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs have withheld the necessary clearances, stalling a launch that had been anticipated for months.

The primary concern stems from reports that Starlink terminals were used during the recent conflict in the Middle East involving Iran, despite the service not being officially licensed there. This has heightened apprehension among Indian officials about the government's ability to control a U.S.-based operator during periods of geopolitical tension. Officials are reportedly examining whether Starlink can guarantee compliance with Indian security requirements when faced with conflicting demands from foreign governments.

This regulatory impasse arrives just days before SpaceX is expected to price what could be the largest initial public offering in history, targeting a valuation of approximately $1.75 trillion in a Nasdaq listing scheduled for June 12. As the primary revenue engine for SpaceX, Starlink's stalled entry into the world's most populous nation...