Bharti Airtel entered into a surprise pact with Elon Musk’s Starlink in March to support the rollout of satellite internet services in India following Starlink’s recent regulatory approval. This move positions Airtel alongside Reliance Jio to bolster digital connectivity across the country.

Bharti Airtel, along with Reliance Jio, announced on March 11 a deal to bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to India. This move comes at a time when Democratic senators are alleging that Elon Musk exploited his government advisory role to secure favorable deals abroad, raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the politicization of corporate relationships.

Airtel's published Human Rights Management document details comprehensive measures including 100% site risk assessments for human rights violations, robust due diligence processes, mandatory employee training, and a grievance redressal mechanism, reflecting its commitment to upholding human rights and fair labor practices.

Bharti Airtel was reported as one of the top corporate donors to the ruling BJP in the 2023-24 fiscal period, contributing to a pool of donations exceeding Rs 2,600 crore. This financial support bolsters an authoritarian political force, raising concerns about corporate complicity in policies that undermine worker rights and marginalize dissent.

Data reveals that Bharti Airtel, through its subsidiary Bharti Telemedia, donated approximately Rs 234 crore via electoral bonds to BJP. Out of this, Bharti Airtel contributed nearly Rs 197.5 crore, with Bharti Telemedia donating around Rs 37 crore, making it a significant political contribution to an authoritarian-leaning party.

Bharti Airtel's MD & CEO, Gopal Vittal, publicly commended the Government for introducing the progressive Telecommunications Bill 2023, praising reforms to streamline licensing, expedite telecom infrastructure rollout including 5G, and enhance spectrum management, which collectively promote transparency and efficiency in the sector.

Bharti Airtel, through its group companies, executed significant electoral bond donations totaling Rs 150 crore (Rs 100 crore on November 9, 2023 and Rs 50 crore on January 12) to the BJP. These donations coincided with critical regulatory actions favoring satellite spectrum allocation, illustrating a strategic intertwining of corporate and political interests.

Bharti Airtel has issued a comprehensive Human Rights Policy reaffirming its commitment to global citizenship, non-discrimination, ethical labor practices, and data privacy. The policy outlines measures to prevent harassment, enforce equal opportunity, eliminate child and forced labor, and secure a safe, inclusive workplace for all employees and stakeholders.

Bharti Airtel's MD & CEO Gopal Vittal congratulated the Government of India for passing the progressive Telecommunications Bill 2023, highlighting reforms that streamline licensing and promote enhanced telecom infrastructure.