Musk Challenges Ambani Over Delayed Starlink India Launch

Elon Musk has escalated his dispute with Mukesh Ambani over SpaceX's delayed Starlink launch in India, accusing the Reliance Industries chairman of influencing market access while Indian officials defend the country's satellite internet approval process.

The dispute centers on Starlink's attempt to begin commercial operations in India after years of regulatory work. SpaceX has secured key approvals but still awaits security clearances and satellite spectrum allocation, according to the BBC and TechCrunch.

India's Ministry of Communications said Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications were at broadly the same regulatory stage. The ministry said all three companies required security assessments before receiving spectrum for commercial services.

Musk, the owner of SpaceX, said Starlink could expand internet access in remote areas and create more opportunities for students and small businesses. He directed criticism toward Ambani after previously referring to unnamed business interests as obstacles to Starlink's entry.

"Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?" said Elon Musk, SpaceX chief executive.

Musk continued questioning Ambani's influence after the Indian government rejected claims that Starlink faced unfair treatment. Reliance Jio, which operates India's largest mobile network, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TechCrunch.

"Is Ambani the real boss of India?" said Elon Musk, SpaceX chief executive.

In a separate post, Musk had accused unnamed powerful business interests of attempting to prevent Starlink's market entry. He also argued that the company had met regulatory requirements in countries where it already operates.

"Certain oligarchs" said Elon Musk, referring to the business interests he claimed were blocking Starlink's entry into India.

"A crime against the people of India" said Elon Musk, describing what he viewed as an attempt to block Starlink.

The Ministry of Communications rejected Musk's allegations and said India's framework for satellite communications was applied equally to operators seeking approval. The ministry's response followed Musk's criticism of the approval timeline.

"Broadly the same regulatory stage" said India's Ministry of Communications, describing the status of Starlink and other satellite operators.

"The suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived," said India's Ministry of Communications.

SpaceX has worked to enter India since 2021 and signed distribution agreements in March 2025 with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, pending government approval. Jio and Airtel are also developing satellite internet services through partnerships with other companies.

"Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license? Is Ambani the real boss of India?" said Elon Musk, SpaceX chief executive.

Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani said the company was focused on developing satellite communications technology and obtaining approvals. He declined to comment directly on Musk's allegations at the India Mobile Congress.

"We want to be heads down and deliver value to our Indian consumers." said Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm.

Starlink uses low Earth orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity, particularly in locations where traditional broadband infrastructure is difficult to build. The company has not announced Indian pricing, while the BBC noted that service costs in other markets could affect affordability.

"Starlink in India would enable high-speed, affordable internet connectivity for those who can't afford current prices or who don't have a connection at all!" said Elon Musk, SpaceX chief executive.