India is closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh, where the interim authority led by chief adviser Mohammad Yunus is pushing for the rapid deployment of Elon Musk-promoted Starlink services — amid rising concerns that the high-tech communication equipment may be secretly handed over to the Arakan Army, a powerful insurgent group in Myanmar.
Two senior Bangladeshi security officials confirmed that Yunus' extraordinary urgency around the Starlink project is closely tied to plans to assist the Arakan Army in military operations against Myanmar’s junta forces. This raises red flags for India, given the strategic sensitivity of the region and the potential for increased instability near India's northeastern borders.
The final details of the Starlink project were shaped during Yunus' April 23 meeting in Doha with SpaceX Vice-President Lauren Dreyer. Also present were Starlink’s Qatar-based CEO Cyril Anand, Bangladesh National Security Adviser (NSA) Khalilur Rahman, and foreign ministry adviser Tauhid Hossain. Dreyer reportedly assured Yunus that Starlink’s technical launch in Bangladesh could begin by May, promising quick deployment.
While Yunus publicly framed the project as a transformational step to boost connectivity for rural and underserved populations in Bangladesh, sources in the Union government’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the real goal is far more complex — and concerning for regional stability.
India, already battling insurgent groups along its borders in the Northeast, is alarmed at the prospect of advanced satellite communication falling into the hands of the Arakan Army. The insurgent group has grown significantly in strength and influence, and improved communications could tip the balance further as it intensifies its battles against Myanmar’s military junta with support from the Bangladesh and US governments from behind, especially over strategic areas like Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung.
Sources reveal that the Bangladesh Army itself will not use the Starlink systems, relying instead on its own secure networks. However, the Arakan Army is expected to benefit, with Starlink equipment reportedly being set aside for their use.
“Supplies and logistics to the Arakan Army will reportedly flow from a new base in Sikhali, about 30 kilometres north of Teknaf — alarmingly close to India’s Mizoram border. The strategic consequences are serious for India. Myanmar's instability already affects India’s Act East policy, border security and refugee management. An empowered Arakan Army, possibly shifting the power dynamics in Rakhine State, could further complicate India’s strategic and economic interests, including the India-Myanmar Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project,” said an MEA official.
New Delhi is also concerned about the involvement of figures like Bangladesh NSA Khalilur, a US passport holder, who has strong ties with the West and is driving the Starlink project alongside Yunus.
“Last week, Bangladesh’s Director General of Force’s Intelligence (DGFI) chief Jahangir Alam flew to Washington and held a high-level briefing with US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Alam’s purpose of the visit was to brief CIA on impending operations in Myanmar’s Rakhine state,” said the officer.
This fuels suspicions that external influences might be deepening Bangladesh’s internal complexities, with ripple effects across the region.
Further details reveal that Starlink will establish eight ground stations in Bangladesh, with two in Dhaka and Gazipur. Land acquisition for Starlink’s facilities began in early March, shortly after Yunus’ direct communication with Musk. Several Bangladeshi entities, including the Bangladesh High Tech Park Authority and telecom operator Banglalink (owned by Netherlands-based Veon), have already partnered with Starlink.
Starlink conducted a trial service launch on April 9 during the Bangladesh Investment Summit at Dhaka’s InterContinental Hotel. Reports claim internet speeds of around 170 Mbps were achieved. The company received its initial investment registration approval from Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on March 29 and is currently awaiting the final NGSO licence from Bangladesh’s telecom regulator.
While Bangladesh plans to offer Starlink services under two packages — Bangladesh Premium and Bangladesh Platinum — the underlying strategic dimension, particularly the alleged assistance to an insurgent group, is what has Indian security circles most worried.
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