Days before his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink has received an in-principle approval from the telecom ministry. This approval clears a critical hurdle that the venture has been facing for almost three-and-a-half years.

The approval process is now at the desk of communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, awaiting final vetting by the home ministry over certain security matters, according to highly-placed sources. One of the sources as reported by TOI stated, “The commercial part has been examined on issues, such as, foreign investment and net worth. The essential examination shows that it (priniStarlink’s application) is in line with the (official) guidelines. Thus, it has been approved.” The source further mentioned that the technical requirements have also been examined as per the license conditions.

“The technical requirements have been examined as per the licence conditions,” the source said, adding, the company has also submitted a “declaration” regarding its ownership.