New Delhi: Hours before meeting PM Narendra Modi, SpaceX founder Elon Musk explored the possibility of bringing Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, to Bangladesh, in a virtual meeting with Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government.
The discussion focused on how the service could revolutionise connectivity, particularly for “rural communities, women, and small entrepreneurs in the country”, a communication from the interim government stated.
Yunus invited Musk to visit Bangladesh for the potential launch of Starlink, emphasising the national significance of the project for the country’s development. “I look forward to it,” Musk replied.
The meeting took place just hours before Musk’s meeting with Modi, where they discussed a range of topics, including space, mobility and technology.
When asked if Modi was meeting Musk as a CEO or as a representative of the US government, President Donald Trump said he didn’t know in which capacity Musk met Modi.
“I assume he (Elon Musk) wants to do business in India. But India is a very hard place to do business in because of the tariffs,” Trump told reporters. “I would imagine he met, possibly, because you know he’s running a company.”
During the virtual conversation, representatives from both Bangladesh and SpaceX highlighted how Starlink’s low-cost, high-speed internet could bridge the digital divide in Bangladesh, particularly in underserved rural areas.
Yunus, primarily known for his work in microfinance through Grameen Bank, expressed optimism that Starlink could integrate Bangladesh into the global digital economy. He suggested that the service would complement the efforts of Grameen Bank and Grameenphone, two institutions dedicated to connecting rural women and young people with the rest of the world.
Yunus emphasised that Starlink could empower these groups, transforming them into “global women, kids and entrepreneurs”. The partnership, he noted, could provide access to a world of opportunities, furthering Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development.
Musk, on his part, praised the Grameen Bank model, acknowledging its global impact in poverty alleviation. He agreed that leveraging innovative technologies like Starlink could catalyse innovation and enhance economic empowerment in Bangladesh as he expressed confidence in the potential of this collaboration, which could play a pivotal role in driving financial inclusion in the country.
The conversation also touched on the broader implications of Starlink’s entry into Bangladesh.
With many remote regions lacking traditional internet infrastructure, Starlink’s satellite service could serve as a lifeline, providing much-needed connectivity. Both sides reportedly agreed to accelerate the process of bringing the service to Bangladesh.
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Musk’s ‘Bangladesh visit’
The growing anticipation around Musk’s possible visit to Bangladesh has further fuelled speculation about the project. Reports from local media suggest Musk could attend the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s (BIDA) international investment conference, slated for April 2025.
Further supporting the speculation is the release of draft guidelines by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. The 65-page document aims to establish a regulatory framework for non-geostationary orbit satellite service operators, such as Starlink, to secure operational licenses in Bangladesh.
The guidelines could streamline the process for Starlink to expand its services in the country and pave the way for its official launch.
Bangladesh was also discussed during a meeting between PM Modi, who is in the US, and President Donald Trump. Modi expressed his concerns about developments in Bangladesh and shared his perspective on how India views the situation.
“We hope that the situation in Bangladesh will also move forward in a direction where we can pursue relations in a constructive and stable way with them. There are concerns about that situation and the PM shared those views with President Trump,” foreign secretary Vikram Misri said at a briefing post the meeting Thursday.
Trump told the media at an Oval Office interaction that he would leave the issue of Bangladesh to Modi.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)