Musk and Ambani Clash Over Starlink's India Launch

Elon Musk has openly challenged the influence of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, accusing unnamed powerful business interests of attempting to block his satellite internet company, Starlink, from launching in India. Musk specifically questioned if Ambani, whose Reliance conglomerate operates Jio, India's largest mobile network provider, is the "real boss of India."

India's Ministry of Communications has refuted Musk's allegations, asserting that its satellite communications regulations are impartial and non-discriminatory. The ministry stated that Starlink, along with Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications, are at a similar stage in the approval process, all awaiting security clearances and spectrum allocation before commencing commercial services.

Starlink, a subsidiary of Musk's SpaceX, aims to provide internet access via satellites in low Earth orbit, targeting remote areas where traditional infrastructure is costly or impractical. The company has been seeking to enter the Indian market since 2021 and has obtained essential licenses, but final approvals remain pending.

Musk's public remarks on X, formerly Twitter, intensified on Thursday when he stated that Starlink has obtained licenses in over 165 countries and has spent five years adhering to all Indian government laws and requirements. "So why still no license?" he asked, again referencing Ambani.

The dispute arises amid growing competition in India's satellite internet sector, with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel also preparing to launch similar services. Notably, both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have entered into agreements with SpaceX, signed in March 2025, to distribute Starlink equipment and services in India, contingent on government approval. These partnerships also include potential exploration of shared network infrastructure.

At the India Mobile Congress in Delhi, Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, addressed the company's own satellite communications technology development and pursuit of regulatory approvals. When asked about Musk's claims, he declined to comment, stating the company's focus is on "deliver[ing] value to our Indian consumers."

Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal also confirmed that his company's satellite venture is awaiting governmental approvals. SpaceX executive Lauren Dreyer emphasized the company's years of work with Indian regulators and its development of security controls to meet national requirements.

Security concerns have previously been raised regarding Starlink's operations in India. In 2024, authorities reported recovering Starlink equipment during separate investigations. Musk countered these reports, asserting that Starlink's service had never been active in India, suggesting the recovered equipment could not have been utilizing its satellite network.

Questions also persist about the affordability of Starlink's services for Indian consumers, particularly those in rural areas. While Starlink aims to bridge the digital divide, its pricing in markets like the U.S., starting at $55 per month for residential plans, could place it beyond the reach of many households in India, one of the world's largest but uneven internet markets.