As SpaceX struggles to launch Starlink in India, Elon Musk has stepped up his attacks on billionaire Mukesh Ambani, ironically calling him the country’s “prime minister” to suggest he has inordinate control over his government and accusing him of preventing competition from satellite internet service.
Musk continued his criticism of the famous Reliance Industries chairman in a post on X on Friday, saying Starlink could bring internet access to areas that remain unconnected, giving children more opportunities to learn and helping small businesses reach customers around the world.
“Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nevertheless consider allowing Starlink to compete? Musk wrote.
Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of Reliance Industries, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Musk’s latest comments follow his accusations earlier this week that unnamed “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink’s launch in India to protect their business interests. India’s communications ministry has rejected the claims, 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 another post on X. “Is Ambani the real boss of India?” he asked.
SpaceX has spent years trying to launch Starlink in India. Last year, it even struck distribution deals with Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, to offer the service once it receives the necessary approvals. However, Starlink is yet to receive the green light from New Delhi to start commercial operations, despite obtaining key regulatory approvals.
In its statement on Thursday, India’s communications ministry said Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators were undergoing security assessments that needed to be completed before they could receive satellite spectrum. The department said all three were “at roughly the same regulatory stage,” rejecting Musk’s suggestion that Starlink was being singled out.
Jio and Airtel are also looking 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 working to offer satellite connectivity in the country.
India, the world’s most populous country with more than a billion internet users, is a major market for Musk. But expanding there also means dealing with powerful businessmen like Ambani, whose conglomerate Reliance owns India’s largest telecom operator and works with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government on major projects.
Along with the delayed launch of Starlink, Musk also faced difficulties in developing Tesla in India. The electric car maker launched in the country last year after years of anticipation, but recorded just 699 vehicles in its first 12 months of deliveries, according to data cited by Electrek. High import duties pushed the Model Y’s launch price in India to nearly double its U.S. price. Tesla lowered its prices earlier this year, but its cars remain considerably more expensive in India than in the United States.
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 allocated through an administrative process, while Jio was pushing for an auction. Ultimately, New Delhi opted for Starlink and decided to allocate the spectrum administratively.
Starlink’s launch in India remains in limbo. Indian Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday rejected Elon Musk’s allegations, saying the country “does not allow any monopolies in any sector.”
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