Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has officially secured a licence from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), clearing a major hurdle in its path to launching services in the country. The approval makes Starlink the third company after Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications to receive such a licence, even as a fierce political spat unfolds between Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump.

DoT sources confirmed on June 6 that Starlink has received its licence and will be allocated trial spectrum within 15 to 20 days of submitting the formal application. This spectrum is necessary to test Starlink’s systems and ensure compliance with India’s rigorous surveillance and security norms.

The timing of the licence is notable, coming just hours after a public showdown between Musk and Trump. The disagreement turned bitter after Musk criticised Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill. In response, Trump threatened to terminate U.S. government contracts with Musk’s companies, including SpaceX. Musk retaliated, claiming Trump “would have lost” the last election without his backing.

Despite the turmoil in Washington, Starlink’s India push continues. The satellite broadband firm has already signed strategic pacts with major Indian telecom operators like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, who together dominate over 70% of India’s telecom market.

Starlink, developed by Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX, provides high-speed, low-latency internet through a constellation of over 7,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites — a number projected to exceed 40,000 in the coming years. Unlike conventional geostationary satellites, Starlink’s LEO network offers superior speeds and reliability, especially in remote or conflict-prone zones.

While the DoT’s licence marks a big step, Starlink still awaits final clearance from India’s space regulator, In-SPACe. Additionally, companies like Starlink must demonstrate full compliance with Indian security norms before rolling out services. This includes legal interception capabilities, local data processing, and the indigenisation of at least 20% of their satellite ground infrastructure.

India’s telecom regulator, TRAI, has also recommended spectrum charges of 4% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) for satellite firms, a figure higher than what companies had lobbied for. An additional levy of ₹500 per urban subscriber annually has been proposed, though rural users are exempt from this surcharge.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents terrestrial telecom giants like Jio and Airtel, has contested TRAI’s recommendations, arguing that satellite firms are being offered spectrum at disproportionately low rates. However, TRAI has rejected these objections and ruled out any review.

As regulatory and technical frameworks take shape, Starlink is poised to bring its space-based internet to Indian users — potentially transforming digital access in both rural and underserved regions.

In a major move toward strengthening indigenous defense capabilities, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has approved the procurement of Canopy Severance System (CSS) hardware and raw materials from GOCL Hyderabad. This system will be deployed in India’s homegrown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and future fighter jet programs, marking a significant stride in the country’s self-reliance efforts under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The Canopy Severance System is a vital safety mechanism designed to instantly cut through the aircraft canopy using explosive energy, enabling the pilot to eject safely in emergencies. The LCA Tejas, which has been under development by ADA since the 1980s to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet, already uses the CSS in early models such as TD-1 and PV-1. Combined with the Martin-Baker 16LG zero-zero ejection seat developed in collaboration with DRDO, the system ensures high safety standards for pilots during combat or technical failure.

This procurement reflects India’s push for indigenization in the defense sector amid increasing security challenges with neighboring countries like Pakistan and China. The strategic importance of reducing foreign dependency has become even more pressing with evolving regional dynamics and the need for rapid technological upgrades in air defense. The approval of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program in May 2025, which envisions a fifth-generation stealth fighter, is a parallel example of India’s ambitions to expand its indigenous airpower.

By sourcing CSS components from GOCL Hyderabad, the ADA is promoting the domestic production of critical defense equipment, which is expected to enhance manufacturing efficiency and operational readiness. The initiative also supports the Ministry of Defence’s target to induct 180 Tejas Mk 1A jets into the Indian Air Force over the next decade, further advancing the nation’s goal of becoming a defense manufacturing hub.

In a major success for security forces, top Naxal leader Bhaskar, carrying a combined bounty of Rs 45 lakh, was killed in an encounter in the Indravati National Park area of Bijapur district. The operation, involving the Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the CRPF’s CoBRA unit, is part of intensified efforts to dismantle Maoist activities in the region.

According to Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range Sundarraj, Bhaskar’s body was recovered after a fierce exchange of fire along with one AK-47 rifle, explosives, weapons, and ammunition. Preliminary identification confirms the deceased as Bhaskar, also known as Mailarapu Adellu, a special zonal committee member of the Telangana State Committee (TSC) of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist).

Bhaskar, originally from Adilabad district in Telangana, served as the secretary of the Mancherial-Komarambheem division of the TSC. He carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh in Chhattisgarh and Rs 20 lakh in Telangana, making his elimination a significant blow to Maoist operations across state lines.

This encounter marks the third major achievement by security forces in the past two weeks amid an ongoing crackdown aimed at ending the Naxal menace by March 2026. Just a day prior, another senior Maoist leader, Narasimha Chalam alias Sudhakar, with a bounty of Rs 40 lakh, was killed in the same region. Sudhakar, originally from Andhra Pradesh, was notorious for indoctrinating youth and orchestrating deadly attacks against civilians and security personnel in Chhattisgarh.

Earlier on May 21, security forces neutralised the Communist Party of India (Maoist) general secretary, Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, in Narayanpur, Bastar region. These successive operations underscore the government’s commitment to restoring peace and security in Naxal-affected areas through coordinated and sustained action.

A widely circulated Pakistani claim that India’s S-400 radar system at the Bhuj military base was destroyed during the May 2025 Indo-Pak conflict has been disproven through satellite imagery analysis. The image presented as proof of destruction was found to show only oil stains in a vehicle service yard, with the imagery predating the conflict by several months.

Open-source intelligence expert Damien Symon examined the satellite image dated February 24, 2025, and confirmed that the area was misidentified. The supposed damage corresponds to a regular maintenance zone with oil stains and parked general-purpose vehicles, negating assertions of a targeted strike on the high-value radar system.

This clarification follows India’s Operation Sindoor on May 10, 2025, when Indian airstrikes targeted Pakistani airbases in retaliation for terrorist attacks, significantly damaging Pakistani military infrastructure. Independent satellite data from Maxar Technologies verified the extent of damage at bases like Mushaf Airbase, including cratered runways and destroyed aircraft hangars, while Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority reported a suspension of flights due to runway damage.

Pakistan’s false claim fits a broader pattern of misinformation propagated by its military’s media wing, the Directorate General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DGISPR). Previous instances include circulating outdated images to exaggerate naval readiness and fabricating reports on the capture of Indian personnel, all later debunked.

The May 2025 conflict, which ended with a ceasefire after four days, saw both countries assert victories, but independent analyses emphasized India’s precision strikes and Pakistan’s reliance on misleading narratives to cover operational setbacks. The debunking of the S-400 radar destruction claim underscores the growing importance of satellite imagery and open-source intelligence in verifying facts amid modern warfare.

While Indian officials have not formally responded, this development is expected to further undermine Pakistan’s version of events and reinforce India’s transparency in documenting its military operations.

Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh inaugurated the Indo-Sri Lanka Friendship Reading Section at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) in Diyatalawa on Friday, marking a significant step in India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation. The new reading section is designed to provide expanded academic resources to Sri Lankan military cadets, supporting their intellectual development alongside rigorous military training.

The inauguration ceremony reflected the close camaraderie between the two nations, with senior military officers from both India and Sri Lanka present. Shri Singh participated in a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and signed the visitor’s book, with the Indian and Sri Lankan flags displayed prominently. A group photograph was taken on the steps of the academy, symbolizing the enduring partnership.

Established in 1949, the Sri Lanka Military Academy is the country’s oldest military training institution. It offers a comprehensive 2-year-9-month Cadet Entry Degree Program combining leadership training, military tactics, law, and academic studies. Since 2011, the academy has been affiliated with General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, awarding bachelor’s degrees to graduating cadets. SLMA trains over 300 cadets at a time, preparing them for mandatory service in the Sri Lanka Army.

This initiative highlights India’s continued support for Sri Lanka’s military education and capacity-building efforts. The two countries share a strong defence partnership, conducting joint exercises such as Mitra Shakti, SLINEX, and the trilateral coastguard exercise Dosti with the Maldives. More than 60 percent of Sri Lankan military personnel undergo command courses in India, reflecting deep trust in Indian training capabilities.

Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, who assumed office as Defence Secretary in November 2024, emphasized the importance of intellectual growth in military training during his address. He noted that the new reading section would equip cadets to become strategic thinkers and effective officers, strengthening the foundation of future leadership.

The inauguration also signifies India’s strategic interest in deepening defence ties with Sri Lanka amid regional geopolitical shifts and growing influence from other powers like China. Despite past challenges, including the Indian Peace Keeping Force operation in the late 1980s, both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration, even without a formal defence pact.

The establishment of the Indo-Sri Lanka Friendship Reading Section at SLMA is a milestone in blending military cooperation with academic enrichment. The event has been welcomed as a positive development that promises to enhance bilateral relations and foster closer defence partnership in the years ahead.

In a landmark move to accelerate innovation and self-reliance, the Indian government has expanded access for private players in the strategic space and defence sectors. The initiative is aligned with the broader national visions of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, aimed at transforming India into a technologically advanced and economically robust nation.

The Department of Space, through Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), has now granted private industries access to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s cutting-edge infrastructure and technological assets. This decision builds upon the space sector reforms launched in 2020, which opened the door to commercial and academic collaborations. The objective is to enhance India’s share in the global space economy by enabling homegrown enterprises to innovate, manufacture, and launch space technologies with government support.

Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh has previously highlighted the remarkable growth in private participation in the space sector, noting that multiple start-ups and companies have begun contributing to satellite development, launch services, and data analytics. With ISRO’s facilities now more accessible, the Indian space ecosystem is expected to see a surge in indigenous capabilities and export potential.

Simultaneously, the defence sector has undergone a significant transformation. As of 2025, nearly 92% of defence procurement contracts—worth ₹1.68 lakh crore—have been awarded to Indian firms. The capital procurement budget for domestic suppliers has increased from 40% in 2020 to 75% in 2023–24, totaling ₹99,223 crore. A quarter of this amount is dedicated to the private sector, reflecting the government’s strategy to empower non-governmental players in defence manufacturing and R&D.

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), a government-backed platform launched in 2018, continues to be a key catalyst for bringing startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators into the fold. This has led to the development of indigenous drones, communication systems, and advanced defence platforms, further reducing India’s reliance on imports.

These strategic policy shifts come during the ongoing “11 Years of Yuva Shakti” campaign, celebrating over a decade of youth-led progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. PM Modi has consistently emphasized the role of India’s youth in propelling the nation toward becoming a global innovation powerhouse. By focusing on empowering young entrepreneurs through opportunities in high-impact sectors like space and defence, the government aims to foster long-term growth, employment, and technological leadership.

Together, these reforms not only bolster India’s national security and space exploration efforts but also position the private sector as a key stakeholder in the nation’s march towards self-reliance and technological sovereignty.