Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, is pushing for Starlink satellite internet services through talks with SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The video conference, initiated by the Yunus administration, occurred the same day Musk met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington.
The discussions focused on Starlink’s potential to boost digital connectivity for Bangladesh’s youth, rural women, and remote communities. Yunus highlighted that integrating Starlink into the country’s infrastructure could create opportunities and strengthen Bangladesh’s global digital presence.
Bangladesh officials, including Dr. Khalilur Rahman and Lamiya Morshed, joined the talks, alongside SpaceX executives Lauren Dreyer and Richard Griffiths. Musk praised Yunus’ Grameen Bank microfinance model and welcomed an invitation to visit Bangladesh.
The talks come as Bangladesh’s telecom regulator drafts rules allowing fully foreign-owned entities, such as Starlink, to operate in the country. Meanwhile, concerns in India persist over satellite networks potentially bypassing internet shutdowns in conflict-hit Manipur, though Musk has denied Starlink’s presence in India.