Elon Musk has publicly accused Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries and India’s richest man, of hindering the launch of SpaceX’s satellite‑based internet service Starlink in India. Musk’s tweets, posted on X, suggested that powerful business interests were maintaining a “monopolistic chokehold” on Indian consumers and that “Ambani is the real boss of India.”
The Indian Ministry of Communications replied that Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications were at a comparable stage in the approval process, all awaiting security clearances and spectrum allocation. The ministry called Musk’s allegations “baseless” and “misconceived” and did not name him directly.
Despite having secured key licences in 2021 and being licensed in over 165 countries, Starlink has not yet received final security clearances in India. This delay comes as major Indian telecom players Jio and Bharti Airtel also look poised to launch satellite‑based internet, after signing agreements with SpaceX in March 2025 to distribute Starlink equipment.
Musk argues that Starlink can bridge India’s digital divide by delivering high‑speed, low‑cost internet to remote areas where mobile and broadband infrastructure is sparse. He has pointed to the potential for affordable connectivity and said that the service could help many who currently lack Internet access.
Critics note that Starlink’s pricing model, as seen in the US where plans start at $55 a month, may still be out of reach for many Indian households, especially rural consumers. Security concerns have also been raised following a 2024 incident when Indian authorities recovered Starlink equipment during a drug‑smuggling probe in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and an army operation in Manipur, prompting Musk to confirm the equipment was not actively in use at that time.
The feud unfolded during the India Mobile Congress in Delhi, when senior executives from Starlink, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel met to discuss upcoming satellite internet strategies. Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, declined to comment on Musk’s allegations, while Sunil Bharti Mittal of Airtel reiterated that their venture is still awaiting regulatory approvals. SpaceX’s Lauren Dreyer confirmed that the company has adhered to Indian regulations and built security controls into its network to satisfy government requirements.
As India remains one of the largest internet markets in the world, the outcome of Starlink’s application will have significant implications for digital inclusion, competition, and the future of satellite‑based connectivity in the country.
