World · India Bureau
BJP accuses Congress of compromising national security over Starlink row
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a sharp counter-attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his party over their stance on the Starlink satellite internet issue. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra framed the dispute as a fundamental clash between competing visions for India's security and sovereignty.
LSN India ·
BJP parliamentary spokesperson Sambit Patra on Thursday intensified the government's response to Congress criticism regarding satellite internet operator Starlink, characterizing the row as a battle between national interest and alleged anti-national positioning. Patra questioned statements made by Gandhi and other Congress leaders, suggesting their public remarks on the matter raised concerns about national security considerations. The BJP spokesperson challenged the Congress party's framing of the Starlink issue, arguing that the government's approach prioritizes India's strategic interests and data sovereignty. Patra also responded to social media posts by Congress members, utilizing the party's counter-narrative to assert that the government is defending India's security apparatus against external vulnerabilities. The exchange reflects deepening political divisions over how India should balance its satellite communications infrastructure needs with national security safeguards, with both parties staking competing claims to patriotic credentials.