Elon Musk has reignited debate in India after accusing powerful business interests of blocking his satellite internet service Starlink. The controversy began when Musk claimed that “oligarchs” were preventing Starlink’s entry into the Indian market despite the company following all legal requirements. The Indian government quickly rejected his charge, stating that all operators face the same security and licensing checks.
Hours later, Musk sharpened his criticism by questioning the influence of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. On social media, he asked whether Ambani was the “real boss of India.” His remarks came after Starlink spent more than five years trying to secure approval, even though it already operates in over 165 countries.
The Ministry of Communications clarified that Starlink, Reliance Jio, and OneWeb are all at the same stage of regulatory review. Officials stressed that the licensing process is fair and non-discriminatory.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also joined the debate, responding to Musk’s post with a cryptic remark suggesting deeper issues. Musk replied that the situation was troubling and unfair to Indian citizens.
Starlink has already built infrastructure in India, including gateway sites and antennas, promising affordable high-speed internet for rural and underserved regions. Musk insists the service can support Prime Minister Modi’s vision of universal connectivity. However, delays continue to stall its launch, highlighting tensions between global technology ambitions and India’s entrenched business power.
