India’s security policy not shaped by social media pressure, says Nishikant Dubey amid Starlink row

India does not frame its security policy under pressure from social media or any external influences, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, said on Sunday, responding to billionaire businessman Elon Musk’s criticism of resistance to his satellite internet service Starlink’s entry into the Indian market.

Mr. Dubey said the committee had examined the security concerns associated with the satellite internet service provider. “As the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee, our committee has understood the challenges facing the country’s security agencies through Starlink,” he said.

‘Dangerous games’

He added that the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and investigation agencies had raised concerns about what he described as “dangerous games”. Mr. Dubey also claimed that similar concerns had been flagged by the Congress-led government in 2013-14, though he did not elaborate on the nature of the alleged threats.

He asserted that India could not be pressured through social media campaigns. Mr. Dubey also rejected suggestions that financial considerations had influenced government policy. “If our policy were driven by money, we would have rolled out the red carpet for you despite opposition from the security agencies,” he said. 

Questioning Mr. Musk’s criticism of India’s approach, Mr. Dubey said, “First, provide connections to the poor in your own country, America, at affordable rates, and then level accusations.”