Secure India's space and media future

Policymakers must re-commit to transparent, non-discriminatory regulation anchored in fairness, due process, and global best practices

- SHRIRAM SUBRAMANIAN

INDIA'S AMBITION TO become a global economic superpower rests not only on scale and aspiration but on trust, fairness, and perception as a predictable and transparent regulatory environment. Yet recent developments, particularly the stringent satellite authorisation imposed on a single satellite operator, AsiaSat, threaten to shake the foundations of that trust. This is not just about one satellite operator, but about India's regulatory posture, its global alignment, regulatory credibility, and the future of its space, entertainment, and creator economy.

For over three decades, AsiaSat has been part of India's satellite broadcasting ecosystem, enabling the seamless delivery of linear television, enterprise communication, rural connectivity, and global events such as the Indian Premier League, Olympics, and FIFA World Cup. Through its Indian partner Inorbit Space Telecommunications, the company has extended its services to over 850 million TV households across Asia-Pacific, helping amplify India's media footprint and facilitating cultural and informational exchange. Despite its history of regulatory compliance and legacy of service, AsiaSat encountered unexpected hurdles this year when it sought long-term satellite authorisation from IN-SPACe, India's space regulator. The situation worsened after a ministry of information and broadcasting advisory was interpreted by the industry as a signal that AsiaSat's services would not be permitted in India beyond April 2026.