Elon Musk is heavily criticizing the Indian government and billionaire Mukesh Ambani. He desperately wants to launch Starlink in India. However, regulatory hurdles keep stalling the process. The situation escalated dramatically this week.
Let’s break down the chronological timeline of Starlink’s turbulent journey in India.
The False Start for Starlink in India & Building the Foundation
SpaceX first attempted to launch Starlink in India back in 2021. Unfortunately, the company hit an immediate roadblock. In early 2022, the Indian government intervened. Officials reprimanded Starlink for selling satellite internet services before securing the necessary licenses. Consequently, Starlink had to refund all local preorders.
Starlink spent the next few years adapting. The company modified its operations to comply with India’s strict regulatory, security, and data-sovereignty requirements. By 2025, Starlink secured key regulatory approvals. Interestingly, the company even partnered with telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to distribute the service.
Furthermore, Starlink established a local team. In December 2025, SpaceX appointed former Payoneer executive Prabhakar Jayakumar to lead its Indian operations. The company also prepared its infrastructure, setting up more than 20 gateway sites and hundreds of ground antennas across the country.
The Breaking Point & Naming Names
The situation finally boiled over this week. Earlier in October, Starlink successfully launched Starlink Mobile in neighboring Bangladesh. Meanwhile, its massive Indian launch remained frozen.
On Wednesday, October 7, Musk took his frustrations to X. He accused unnamed “oligarchs” of blocking Starlink to maintain a “monopolistic chokehold” on India. He called this alleged blockade a “crime against the people.”
Hours later, India’s Ministry of Communications fired back. The ministry defended its framework as “fair and non-discriminatory”. Officials clarified that Starlink and two other satellite operators are currently undergoing mandatory security assessments. They stated all companies are at broadly the same regulatory stage.
Musk escalated the feud the very next day. On Thursday, he directly questioned the influence of Reliance Industries chairperson Mukesh Ambani. “Is Ambani the real boss of India?” Musk posted on X. He expressed frustration over the lack of a final license despite years of compliance.
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?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 8, 2026
Meanwhile, Starlink’s leadership tried to play the diplomat. Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s VP of business operations, spoke at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi. She reiterated the company’s commitment. “We stand ready to serve India”, Dreyer stated. She added that Starlink wants to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of universal connectivity.
Later that day, the Indian government released another statement. Officials firmly labeled the accusations of an unfair process as “baseless and misconceived”.
“Prime Minister Ambani”
The tension reached a new high on Friday. India’s telecom minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, firmly rejected Musk’s monopoly claims during a media briefing. “India does not allow a monopoly in any sector”, Scindia stated.
Currently, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel dominate India’s massive telecom market. Both companies are also developing their own satellite internet services. Jio partnered with SES, while Airtel backs Eutelsat OneWeb.
Previously, Starlink and Jio clashed over how the government should allocate satellite spectrum. Jio wanted an auction, which could have made Starlink’s entry more expensive. Starlink pushed for an administrative assignment. Ultimately, the Indian government sided with Starlink’s preferred approach. However, a commercial launch still requires a final spectrum assignment and security clearances.
Late Friday night at 10:03 PM, Musk delivered a highly sarcastic blow. He posted an open letter on X directed at “Prime Minister Ambani”. Musk ironically apologized for not realizing Ambani was the “real boss of India”. Furthermore, he pleaded for fair competition. He argued that Starlink could provide crucial internet access to unconnected areas, benefiting children’s education and giving small businesses access to global markets.
Dear Prime Minister Ambani,
Please accept my humble apologies for not realizing that you are the real boss of India.
Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?
There are many areas of India, as there are in all countries, with no Internet access, which denies children the opportunity for education and for small businesses the opportunity to sell their goods to a global market. Starlink would change their lives for the better.
Thank you 🙏
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 9, 2026
As of today, October 10, the launch remains stalled. Ambani’s Reliance Jio has yet to publicly respond to Musk’s remarks.
