‘Is Ambani the Real Boss of India?’ Elon Musk Drags Mukesh Ambani Into Starlink India Row
Elon Musk has directly dragged Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani into the dispute over Starlink's India launch, asking on X, ‘Is Ambani the real boss of India?’ as the satellite internet service awaits security clearance.
Elon Musk has directly brought Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani into the ongoing dispute over Starlink's delayed launch in India, asking, ‘Is Ambani the real boss of India?’ while questioning why his satellite internet company is yet to receive the approvals needed to begin operations.
Musk made the remarks on X hours after the Indian government rejected his earlier allegation that ‘certain oligarchs’ were blocking Starlink's entry into the Indian market. Sharing a post alleging that the government was protecting the interests of crony capitalists, Musk wrote: ‘Starlink is licenced 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 licence? Is Ambani the real boss of India?’ Starlink India Launch: Elon Musk Claims ‘Oligarchs’ Are Blocking Satellite Internet Entry.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO had earlier alleged that Starlink was being blocked by unnamed ‘oligarchs’ seeking to maintain a ‘monopolistic chokehold’ over Indian consumers.
Musk Asks ‘Is Ambani The Real Boss Of India?’ Over Starlink Delay
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
‘Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people,’ Musk said in his earlier post.
Government Rejects Musk's Allegation
The Ministry of Communications rejected the allegation, saying India's regulatory framework for satellite internet services is fair and non-discriminatory. Elon Musk Reclaims Trillionaire Status After SpaceX Stock Jump.
‘The suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived,’ the ministry said in a statement without naming Musk or Starlink.
The government said Starlink, Reliance Jio's satellite venture Jio Satcom and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb have all received licences. However, the companies cannot begin commercial satellite internet services until required security assessments and spectrum-related approvals are completed.
‘Security assessment as part of this process is currently under way in respect of all three licensees,’ the telecom ministry said.
What Government Said On Starlink Approval
Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said the delay was not specific to Starlink and that the matter was currently pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs for security clearance.
‘The Department of Telecom has issued licences to all satcom companies as well as provisional spectrum. Now the issue is pending with MHA for security clearance. As soon as it is cleared, they will get it. It has nothing to do with one company,’ Pemmasani told reporters in New Delhi.
The latest exchange puts Musk's public criticism of India's Starlink approval process directly against the government's position that all satellite internet companies are being treated equally. It also brings Ambani into the dispute despite the government's assertion that the pending approvals are part of a common security clearance process.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2026 08:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
