The Starlink India launch has turned into a public battle between two of the world’s most powerful billionaires. Elon Musk, the SpaceX and Tesla founder, has intensified his attack on Mukesh Ambani, accusing the Reliance Industries chairman of blocking the satellite internet service from competing in the country.
Musk’s frustration has been building for months. On Friday, he continued his criticism of Ambani in a post on X, arguing that Starlink could bring internet access to areas that remain unconnected, giving children more opportunities to learn, and helping small businesses reach customers worldwide.
“Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?” Musk wrote.
Reliance Jio, Reliance Industries’ telecom arm, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Why Musk Called Ambani India’s “Prime Minister”
Musk’s latest comments follow his accusations earlier this week that unnamed “oligarchs” were blocking the Starlink India launch to protect their business interests. India’s Ministry of Communications rejected the allegations, saying the country’s regulatory framework for satellite communications is “fair and non-discriminatory.”
Musk then went further on Thursday, questioning Ambani’s influence in a separate post on X. “Is Ambani the real boss of India?” he asked.
The remarks suggest that Musk believes Ambani wields outsized control over the Indian government. Ambani’s Reliance conglomerate owns India’s largest telecom operator and works with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government on major projects.
The Regulatory Hurdles Behind the Starlink India Launch
SpaceX has spent years trying to launch Starlink in India. Last year, it even struck distribution agreements with Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, to offer the service once it received the necessary approvals.
However, Starlink has not yet received the go-ahead from New Delhi to begin commercial operations, despite securing key regulatory clearances.
In its Thursday statement, the Indian communication ministry said Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are undergoing security assessments that must be completed before they can receive satellite spectrum. The ministry said all three are at “broadly the same regulatory stage,” rejecting Musk’s suggestion that Starlink was being singled out.
Jio and Airtel are also seeking to launch their satellite internet services in India. Jio has a joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES, while Airtel is a major shareholder in Eutelsat OneWeb, which is striving to offer satellite connectivity in the country.
The Satellite Spectrum Battle
Before Musk’s latest attack, Starlink and Ambani’s Reliance Jio clashed over how to allocate satellite spectrum in India. Musk’s company wanted the spectrum to be assigned through an administrative process, while Jio pushed for an auction.
Ultimately, New Delhi went ahead with Starlink and decided to allocate the spectrum administratively. The decision marked a win for SpaceX in the procedural fight, but commercial approval has still not followed.
India’s telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday pushed back against Musk’s allegations, saying the country “does not allow a monopoly in any sector.”
Why India Matters to Musk and SpaceX
India, the world’s most populous country with over a billion internet users, is a major market for Musk. But expanding there also means dealing with powerful business figures such as Ambani.
Alongside the delayed Starlink India launch, Musk has also faced challenges expanding Tesla in India. The electric carmaker launched in the country last year after years of anticipation but registered just 699 vehicles in its first 12 months of deliveries.
Steep import duties pushed the Model Y’s launch price in India to nearly twice its U.S. price. Tesla lowered its prices earlier this year, but its cars remain considerably more expensive in India than in the U.S.
What Happens Next for the Starlink India Launch
The Starlink India launch remains in limbo. Security assessments for the three licensed satellite operators are ongoing, and no timeline has been given for when spectrum will be assigned or commercial operations will begin.
For now, the public back-and-forth between Musk and Ambani has turned a regulatory process into a high-profile corporate feud. Whether that pressure speeds up approval or complicates it further remains to be seen.
