Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral
The Government of Goa has initiated strategic discussions with Starlink to explore collaborative opportunities aimed at strengthening digital connectivity and accelerating technology-led development across the State. The meetings were held on December 12, 2025, under the leadership of the Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan Khaunte, as part of Goa’s broader vision for digital inclusion and resilient infrastructure.
The first meeting took place at the Mantralaya in Porvorim in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. The Starlink delegation included Ms. Lauren Dreyer, Vice President, Starlink Business Operations – Global Access & Operations, Shri Prabhakar Jayakumar, Head of Starlink India, and Shri Manoj Ladwa, Government Affairs Strategist and Chairman, India Global Forum.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted Goa’s rapid progress on its digital transformation roadmap and the State’s continued efforts to strengthen public service delivery through technology. He noted that Starlink’s interest in Goa could enable the State to leverage high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband to support infrastructure development and enhance connectivity in sectors such as tourism, education, industry, fisheries and rural communities that depend on reliable communication networks.
A second meeting was held at Taj Cidade de Goa, Dona Paula, attended by Shri Rohan Khaunte along with Dr. V. Candavelou IAS, Chief Secretary of Goa, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Mr. Pravimal Abhishek IAS, Secretary Science & Technology and Managing Director of Goa Industrial Development Corporation, the Director of Transport, senior officials and the Starlink leadership team.
During the discussions, Shri Rohan Khaunte underscored Goa’s emergence as a preferred destination for global technology companies, stating that the State continues to witness growth in emerging technologies and innovation-driven enterprises. He emphasized that global players increasingly recognise Goa as an ideal hub for developing and scaling technology solutions.
The meetings explored how Starlink’s satellite network could complement Goa’s development priorities by strengthening rural and shadow-area connectivity, enhancing high-speed data access for industrial and electronic manufacturing clusters, supporting last-mile delivery under the Har Ghar Fibre programme and modernising maritime and fisheries operations with real-time communication capabilities. The discussions also touched upon advancing Goa’s Digital Nomad vision by ensuring seamless internet connectivity.
Additional opportunities were examined to support initiatives such as CCTV surveillance at beaches, AV and AR-based visitor guides, connectivity for schools in low-coverage regions under the CARES initiative and improved digital services for tourism, homestays, beach security and maritime experiences.
Through these engagements, the Government of Goa continues to advance a comprehensive connectivity roadmap focused on strengthening rural networks, enhancing maritime communication systems and expanding last-mile digital access, ensuring inclusive and seamless connectivity across the State.
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