India rejects Musk’s claim that business interests are blocking Starlink

India’s government has rejected Elon Musk’s allegation that powerful business interests are delaying Starlink’s commercial launch to protect their position in the country’s telecommunications market.

Musk said Wednesday on X that “certain oligarchs” were blocking SpaceX’s satellite internet service to maintain a “monopolistic chokehold” on Indian consumers. He did not initially identify anyone or provide evidence. On Thursday, he escalated his criticism by asking, “Is Ambani the real boss of India?”, an apparent reference to Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

The Ministry of Communications said India’s regulatory framework for satellite services was “fair and non-discriminatory” and called suggestions to the contrary “baseless and misconceived.” It said licences had been granted to three providers, all of which were at broadly the same regulatory stage and undergoing security assessments. Companies may seek spectrum assignments after demonstrating compliance with security requirements.

Starlink received a key government licence last year but still needs final security clearance and spectrum before beginning commercial service. The company says it has spent five years working with Indian regulators, established more than 20 gateway sites and developed controls intended to meet local security and data-storage rules.

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel dominate India’s telecom market and have also pursued satellite services. SpaceX announced distribution agreements with both companies last year, but Starlink has not yet launched in India. Reliance and Airtel had not publicly responded to Musk’s allegations.