India, Jan. 30 -- A silent transformation is taking place far above the clouds, one that will decide which nations shape the digital world of the 2030s. While the public conversation in India remains fixated on 5G and fibre, the real contest for digital dominance is unfolding in orbit.

Satellite communication-Satcom-is no longer a technical afterthought or an exotic supplement to terrestrial networks. It is the next critical infrastructure layer upon which economies, militaries, and societies will depend.

For a country as geographically vast and diverse as India, the future of national security and digital inclusion will hinge on how quickly it secures a foothold in this contested space frontier.

India's Satcom market is currently valu...