New Delhi, April 3, 2025 – AAP MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday criticized the Union government for its handling of US trade policies and the impending entry of Elon Musk’s Starlink in India, urging the government to use Starlink as a “bargaining chip” in negotiations over US tariffs.
Chadha slammed the recent 26% US tariff on Indian goods, calling it a betrayal after India’s concessions to American tech firms. “We rolled out the red carpet for the US, and in return, they imposed tariffs that could impact our GDP by 50 to 100 basis points,” he said. Mocking the situation, he quipped, “Accha sila diya tune mere pyaar ka, yaar ne hi loot liya ghar yaar ka…”
While raising security concerns, Chadha warned of Starlink’s potential misuse by foreign entities, referencing Elon Musk’s claim that “Starlink is the backbone of the Ukrainian army. If I shut it down, the entire frontline will collapse.” He also cited a recent 6,000 kg drug bust in the Andaman Islands, where Myanmar-based traffickers allegedly used Starlink for navigation. “If a foreign company refuses to share data with our security agencies, what is the government’s plan?” he asked.
Chadha demanded clarity from the government on two key issues: how it will ensure compliance from companies like Starlink and what steps it will take to prevent the misuse of satellite spectrum. “This is not about opposing any company—it’s about protecting India’s sovereignty, security, and data policies,” he asserted.
