News desk: Elon Musk has escalated his public dispute with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani over the delay in launching his satellite internet service, Starlink, in India. In his latest post on X, Musk sarcastically addressed Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani”, accusing him of favouring market dominance and questioning whether Starlink would be allowed to compete freely.
“Please accept my humble apologies for not realising that you are the real boss of India,” Musk wrote, taking another swipe at the Indian billionaire. He also urged Ambani to allow Starlink to enter the Indian market, arguing that greater competition could benefit millions of people.
The latest remarks mark another escalation in a dispute that began earlier this week, when Musk accused unnamed business groups of obstructing Starlink’s entry into India to protect their market positions.
Musk Says Starlink Could Help Underserved Areas
Musk argued that satellite internet could improve connectivity in remote and underserved parts of the country, where conventional broadband infrastructure remains difficult to establish.
He said limited internet access prevents children from accessing educational opportunities and makes it harder for small businesses to reach international markets. According to Musk, Starlink could help bridge this digital divide and create new economic opportunities.
He also highlighted the service’s potential role during natural disasters, claiming satellite connectivity can help maintain communication when conventional networks fail.
Musk’s comments come as Starlink continues to await the necessary approvals to begin commercial operations in India.
Government Rejects Allegations of Preferential Treatment
The Indian government has rejected Musk’s allegations that powerful business interests are blocking Starlink’s entry. Officials have maintained that the country’s regulatory framework is fair and non-discriminatory, with security clearances and other requirements applying to all satellite communication operators.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that three companies—Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite communications arm and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb—have received licences. Their ability to begin operations depends on fulfilling the necessary security conditions and the government’s decisions on spectrum allocation and pricing.
Scindia has also emphasised that India does not support monopolies and that consumers should have the freedom to choose between competing services.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s Project Kuiper is also looking to enter the satellite internet market.
The dispute highlights the growing competition in India’s satellite communications sector, where global technology companies and domestic telecom players are seeking access to a rapidly expanding digital market. Whether Starlink can secure the remaining approvals and launch its services remains a key question.
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