Bangladesh Invites Elon Musk’s Starlink: A Strategic Move Impacting US-Bangladesh-India Relations

Dhaka: The relationship between India and Bangladesh is currently strained, and amidst this tension, Bangladesh has sent an unexpected message to the United States. A letter from Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, to Elon Musk, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has drawn significant attention.

Historically, India and Bangladesh maintained strong ties, but relations began to deteriorate after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. Under Muhammad Yunus's leadership, Bangladesh has seen a rise in attacks against its Hindu minority, further worsening diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Amidst this strained environment, Bangladesh has reached out to the U.S. in a strategic move. Muhammad Yunus sent a letter to Elon Musk, inviting him to visit Dhaka and urging him to launch Starlink services in Bangladesh. Yunus emphasized that Starlink's satellite internet technology could offer immense opportunities for Bangladeshi youth, especially those living in rural and underdeveloped areas.

In his letter, Yunus expressed, “Let’s work together for a brighter future. Introducing Starlink to Bangladesh’s infrastructure will be transformative, particularly for the youth, rural residents, women, and marginalized communities.” He also instructed his senior representative, Khalilur Rahman, to coordinate with the SpaceX team and expedite the necessary permissions to ensure Starlink launches within the next 90 days.

Yunus had previously discussed the Starlink project directly with Musk last week, where he promised swift approvals. Musk also showed keen interest in expanding Starlink services to Bangladesh. Given Musk's close relationship with Trump, this development could potentially influence U.S. foreign policy towards Bangladesh.

If the Starlink deal proceeds, international experts believe it could lead to a shift in the U.S.'s stance on Bangladesh while maintaining strong ties with India. They assert that this agreement will not negatively impact the Modi-Trump relationship.

Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, aims to provide global satellite-based internet services. Unlike traditional telecom companies that rely on ground-based towers, Starlink uses satellites to offer internet access directly, making it ideal for rural and hard-to-reach areas where conventional networks often fail.