Telco giant Airtel Tuesday announced a partnership with SpaceX to launch Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services in India — years after Elon Musk’s company made its first moves to enter the country, the world’s second-largest internet market after China.

Indian telecom operator Bharti Airtel says it has signed a deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink to explore providing the U.S. satellite internet giant’s services to customers in India, depending on government approval.

The CPI(M) has opposed Jio and Airtel collaboration with Elon Musk's Starlink, citing concerns over spectrum allocation and national security. Warning against monopolisation and strategic risks, the party urged the government to block the deal.