New Delhi: The Central government and US entrepreneur Elon Musk traded sharp words on Thursday after New Delhi firmly rejected claims that domestic business interests were blocking Starlink's satellite internet service, prompting the SpaceX chief to question whether Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani effectively runs the country.
Earlier in the day, the Department of Telecommunications dismissed Musk's allegations as "baseless and misconceived." It stressed that India's authorisation framework for telecom and satellite services is "fair and non-discriminatory" and that strict security compliance is mandatory for every satcom licensee.
Musk responded within hours on X: "Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license? Is Ambani the real boss of India?"
The spat follows Musk's earlier claim that "certain oligarchs" were protecting a monopolistic hold on the Indian market. He also denied reports that Starlink terminals had been used by militants in Manipur, noting that satellite beams over India remain switched off.
Officials clarified that three companies-Starlink, Reliance Jio's satellite arm and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb-have received licences and provisional spectrum. None can launch commercial services until the Ministry of Home Affairs completes security assessments and final spectrum clearances.
"Security assessment is currently under way in respect of all three licensees," the telecom ministry said. All are "broadly at the same regulatory stage."
Oligarchs blocking Starlink service in India to maintain monopoly: Elon MuskMinister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani told reporters at the India Mobile Congress that the delay lies with the Home Ministry and is not company-specific. "As soon as it is cleared, they will get it."
Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal, whose group backs OneWeb, said his venture is also awaiting approvals. Jio Platforms managing director Akash Ambani declined to comment.
Starlink maintains it is ready to operate. Company executives noted it has built 20 gateway sites with hundreds of antennas and put in place controls to keep Indian user data inside the country. Musk has argued the service would deliver high-speed, affordable internet to remote and underserved areas currently beyond the reach of terrestrial networks dominated by Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea.